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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



009 106 6415 



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SKETTQH 

OF 

Josepli Benson Foraker, 



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JOSEPH BENSON FORAKER. 
r rpvio »,ootii,r T^rAn«^fif^ sketch is made by a sincere friend of intellectual, moral, and 

*^' ai|-'^a7c?rlc^^s 'm .T'^^ for/a^tL^'wrrha^ had no accss to the Judge m hi. 
distant campaign.] 



1 V 



lo -^ 



tone, impressingliis hearors by h is dVn fio7d/mf .n^^ andience speaks in a clear, distinct 
and making everybody hear hiW^ Hi|" iidfenceS th%f ?ho^^ ^'°"'^-^' attention, 

of superior mental abflity ; that they are lis^onfnl tr. ni h^ '^ w'" ^'^^ presence of a man 
m.nd, that holds in reserv4 a power of i^fte et^ ft can i^rfc^**" °*^ '1 '^''^■'^^^^ "''iginal 
The easy, unhibored style of Judge Poraker' "oAto^ ^^ c rami ujion almost without limit. 
secret of h.s power of eudurance. He is ^^o^i^^^^^^o^S!!^^:^^:^! S'-* 



Jose ph Benson For aker . 



MEN AND PRINCIPLEH. 

It is said with reference to the duty of citizens at the polls, 
" Principles and not men ;" and. again, that only the character of 
candidates for office is to be considered. Is not the true maxim, 
" Men, and also principles?" 

We have in Judge Foraker, both the noble, pure and patriotic 

man, and sound and well-tried principles. Nothing from his 

birth has been suggested that needs defense or apology. Hon. B. 

Butterworth says of him : 

" He is a man without a flaw in intellect or morals. I would trust him with my 
dearest interests. If I lay on my death-bed and J. B. Foraker took my hand and 
said, * I will look after your little ones,' I should be entirely satisfied. I know 
him to be afraid of but one thing — to do wrong." 

Foraker's opponent, Judge Hoadley, admits the very temperate 
and pure mode of life of the Eepublican candidate for Governor. 
He says " J. B. Foraker ain't the man who would ever say a 
thing which he was conscious was untrue," even in politics. 

Judge Foraker, at fourteen years of age, while on the farm, be- 
came a communicant of the church, and so continues. His piety 
1-8 not ostentatious, but quiet and modest. He courts not business 
nor promotion by his religious association, nor by any connection 
with any society whatever. 

foraker's nomination. 

Judge Foraker's nomination was not of the ordinary political 
sort. It was without the usual political conferences. It was with- 
out eifort upon his part. He did not seek it. He did not even 
desire it. The Enquirer said of Foraker, " He is not an office- 
seeker." The candidacy for Governor came to him from the 



— 4 — 

people, from his neighbors, from his clients, from the private sol- 
diers. It was iree, hearty, enthusiastic, whole-souled. When it 
was generally determined that the candidate for Governor must 
be sought in southern Ohio, men of cool reflection and judgment, 
men of business and of morals, men of patriotic record, and men 
of patriotic impulse at various points, turned with spontaniety to 
Judge Foraker. 

When the gubernatorial candidacy was seriously pressed upon 
Foraker, he thought of the regular duties of his office, of his fond 
wife and dea)- children, and of his domestic and social happiness, 
although all was plain and ordinary in his $3,000 house on the 
airy hills. Ever ready to serve his country, he thought the sacri- 
fice great. He had made little more than a living in his honest 
practice, and in his honest administration of office. He could see 
before him only self-denial and continued scantiness of income. 
He coveted not mere honor. In his full heart he said to his 
friends : 

" If Mr. will make the race, you can draw on me for 

$1,000 for the campaign fund, but 1 refuse to contribute the small- 
est amount for my own candidacy." But the people said, our can- 
didate you must be. 

They had known Judge Foraker in the humbler, and they could 
trust him in the higher sphere of duty. He came before the peo- 
ple of Ohio as did Lincoln of Illinois, and as did Grant in his 
army promotion. As Lincoln was not the choice of politicians, 
nor Grant that of the generals, so Foraker's meritorious proper- 
ties were first appreciated and recognized by the people. He was 
the choice of* the people of his section, and is that of the whole 
State for governor, and his character as developing in the canvas, 
is giving him a reputation among the people of the country at 
large. 

Views of political preferment beyond the position of governor 
were presented to encourage consent. He frankly said that he 
had no ulterior ambition ; that he preferred home and his profes- 
sion, and his regular income ; that he could give but two years to 
his State and party ; that if thought necessary, he consented to 



— 5 — 

this arduous service as he would renewedly enter upon the defense 
of his country, against domeetic or foreign foe. 

There was a general feel;L.g over the State for a new man. The 
people wanted purity of character, and freedom for political com- 
bination. 

After consent was given to be a candidate, he said, " I shall do 
nothing to create a boom for myself at the convention. I shall 
set no wires. The convention must settle the question." 

The prayer at the opening of the convention was answered, that 
the " men nominated should be men of integrity and honor, of 
purity and of blameless life ; men who will do justly, who love 
mercy, and walk humbly before God." 

Hon. Mr. Watson said in convention : 

" More than twenty years ago, when Republicanism was the only power that 
was guiding this nation in the darkness of the civil war, a boy sixteen years of age 
entered the army as a private soldier. He sought neither fame nor glory. His 
only love was love for his country. His highest and holiest ambition was to fight 
in the ranks and for the flag. A year later, for special bravery on the battle-field, 
he was made a captain — the youngest captain in all that mighty host that battled 
for the stars. He was with that magnificent army — the grandest that ever stepped 
to martial music — whose achievements thrilled the nation with joy and the world 
with wonder as it marched to the sea and restored the flag to eternal supremacy in 
the land of its banishment." 

His nomination was made by acclamation, followed by a scene 
of wild enthusiasm. Delegates rose in their places, and jumping 
on their chairs waved their hats and handkerchiefs frantically. 
The spirit of the movement animated all. Shout after shout, hur- 
rah after hurrah went up, and the noise was beyond description. 
Even the sedate assembl}' of gentlemen on the stage forgot their 
dignity and reserve and joined in the tumultuous applause. The 
great sounJ was heard in the street, and thus the fact of Foraker's 
nomination was known to the outside- world. 

Among the good things in the Judge's speech of acceptance be- 
fore the convention is this : • 

"The twenty-five years of Republican rule have been twenty -five years ot 
triumph — triumph in war, triumph in peace, triumph at ho.ne, and triumph abroad, 
— until the whole globe has come to be circled with a living current of respect and 
esteem for the American tlag and the American name that is absoUiiely without a 
parallel in the case of any other nation on the face of the earth." [Applause.] 

The reporters at the convention said that Judge Foraker't" 
speeches, extempore as they were, were exceptionally, tree from 
grammatical or constractional errors. There is no pretence of 
eloquence, but his speeches are ringing in well chosen, crisp lan- 
guage. 

After the nomination prominent Democrats in southern Ohio 
testified to the Judge's worth 



-6 — 

Hon. Thos. Paxton declared him to be '' an honor to the bar, an 

excellent citizen, a worthy gentleman." 

Judge Wilson said: "Foraker is no fossil, and represents the 
progressive elements of his party. Judge Foraker's nomination 
is the very best that the Republican party could have made. He 
is a man of abilit}-, ol fine character, and as courteous a public 
officer as evei' officiated. He deserves all the warm friends he has 
made in his official career." 

Hon. Mr. Follett said, "Foraker is a strong and a good man." 
Hon. Wm. Jordan considered Judge Foraker "a man of eminent 
ability, and socially very popular." 

Representative Butterworth said, "No one doubts the character 

of Foraker. His record as a soldier, citizen, and lawyer is brilliant. 

Every part of his record from the cradle has been searched, and 

there is not a flaw in it. A party, that has had in its heart to 

nominate such a man, who represents such a pure and exalted 

morality, deserves to be victorious." 

Hon. Mr. Townsend said at Athens that " Foraker is a high- 
minded citizen, with qualifications of the highest order — patriot- 
ism, sinceritj^, and honesty. His appearance wins. He is prudent, 
thoughtful, and a man who does not blunder. In his speeches he 
is judicial, with depth and dignity. Foraker can not be the tool 
of any man. His dignity protects him from such insinuations. 
He is too great a man to be subordinate long anywhere. " 

Hun. Thos. M'Dougall said at Magnetic Springs of Judge For- 
aker: 

" For many years my warm personal friend, my associate at the bar, 
and my neighbor, I can speak of him Irom personal knowledge. People 
say of him he has no record, What do they mean ? True, he has not 
the record of a political acrobat. * * * * He did not seek, did not need 
to seek, his nomination. There are no heart-burnings, no factional fights 
attached to his record. * * * * Ben. Foraker has nothing to explain, no 
apologies to make, no telegrams to send. * * * * Ben. Foraker— his only 
record is that of a loyal and affectionate son, a brave and brilliant soldier, 
an honorable, able, and conscientious judge, an honest, manly, and patri- 
otic citizen, and a loving and devoted husband and father. 

" * And thus he bears "without abuse 
The grand old name of gentleman.' 

"Eminently qualified and completely equipped, the office sought him by 
acclamation, with honor and credit, and he has more than fulfilled in his 
conduct of the campaign, the high expectations of those of us who knew 
him best and had formed of him. 

" * From men like these Ohio's greatness springs 

That makes her loved .at home, revered abroad; 
Princes and lords are but the breath of kings— 
An honest man is the noblest work of (iod.' 

" In him you have one whose heart is true to law, to liberty, to right* 
who has the brain to plan and the courage to execute the purposes of such 



a heart. When, some years ago, the convention of which I was a mem- 
ber nominated him, then comparatively unknown in our city, for Judge of 
the Superior Court of our city, people said he had no record, and asked. 
'Who is he?' They soon found out who he was. I knew him then; I 
know him now. When nominated for governor the same cry arose, 'He 
has no record.' 'Who is he ? ' They are finding out who he is." 

Senator Sherman in his address at Cincinnati said that be never 
saw Judge Foraker till he met him at the state convention, and 
he was immediately pleased with his bearing, with his manner,, 
his speech, and his conduct; be was gentle, kind, intelligent; butft 
firm and strong. The conversation he bad with him before bis 
nomination impressed upon him that be was a man worthy to 
carry the Eepublican banner; be has made no mistake in bis can- 
vass, but bas borne tbe Republican banner on from victory to 
victory. 

WHAT THE TIMES DEMAND. 

" God give us men a time like this demands, 
Great hearts, strong minds, true faith, and willing hands; 

Men whom the just of office does not kill. 
Men whom the spoils of office can not not buy. 

Men who possess an opinion and a will, 
Men who have honor, who will not lie." 

FORAKEr's birth and early HOME. 

Like Lincoln and Grant, our candidate for governor was born 
July 5, 1846, among the hills and in the country, and like Lincoln 
and Harrison, in a log cabin ; born the second son and fifth child, 
one mile north of Rainsboro, and ten miles due -east of Hillsboro, 
Highland County, Obio, on the Chillicothe and Milford turnpike. 
The Judge's father Irequently bas said that Saturdaj', the fourth, 
there was a militia muster at Rainsboro, in connection with the 
anniversary, and that on account of the Mexican war which com- 
menced that year, and was then in progress, there was an unusual 
excitement about it, and be was especially anxious to attend. On 
account of the Judge's expected arrival, he stayed at home and 
cradled wheat all day. 

The Judge is one of eleven children, six boys and five girls; 
two of whom, one boy and one girl, died in infancy. The remain- 
ing nine, grown to manhood, are still living, except Burch, his old- 
est brother, who won position, honor, and respect, and died at the 
age of thirty-four. 

His sisters living, are Sarah Elizabeth, wife of Milton McKee- 



-8 — 

ban ; Louisa Jane, widow of Samuel Amen ; Maggie Eeece, wife 
of Wm. C. Newell, son of the old miller, and all resident at Hills- 
boro. His brothers are James Koss, a law partner of the Judge, 
and Charles Elliott, and Creighton, at home. 

In the wild and picturesque valley of Rocky Fork, in Highland 
County, Ohio, was Foraker's paternal home for ten years, in the 
log cabin near Eainsboro, and nine miles from GreenJaeld. 

Scenery, hills, the country, climate, and honest and sturdy 
neighbors had somewhat to do with puerile development ; but pa- 
rental character and care vastly more. 

Into the Rocky Fork Yalley of Paint Creek, David Reese came 
in 1802, from Virginia, on account of his detestation of slavery, 
and as a pioneer in what was then a wilderness. He cleared his 
farm and had not completed his task when, in 1812, he entered 
the army and served on the northern frontier. He represented 
Highland County in the State legislature — an honest and respected 
citizen. One of his daughters, the Judge's mother, married Henry 
8. Foraker, the father of the Judge, whose family had also settled 
in Highland County, moving from Delaware because of their dis- 
taste of slavery. Into their possession came the old farm and saw 
and grist-mill, where Joseph Benson spent most of his early days. 

SAW-MILL AND SCHOOL. 

In this old saw-mill was often the church-gathering on Sunday 
for the pioneer families, the preacher putting his Bible and hymn 
book on the top of an up-ended puncheon, and the congregation 
seated on improvised benches. This was the early church of the 
Foraker's and Rees'. 

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE. 

The school-house was a poor cabin, deserted by its original ten- 
ant for a better location. The ventilation was abundant, and the 
scholars picked out the clay of the chinking until every cranny 
was open to the wind. The teachers could sit near the fire-place, 
the pupils write with their faces toward the window, but in con- 
ning their lessons straddling the benches without a back, the girls 
on one side and the boys on the other of the room. 




THE OLD MILL. (See page 13.) 




THE FORAKER LOG CABIN. 



— 9 — 

The reign of the rod was not disputed by the teacher, who 
taught but few branches in winter, and wrought in summer. The 
tramp of the pupils for miles through the untrodden snow, with 
the cold dinner, was of itself discipline enough. 

Such was the pioneer school of the Foraker's, at Kocky Fork. 

A correspondent of the Commercial Gazette in a lute visit to 
Highland gives us. information as to Foraker's parents. Upon 
his inquiry as to Ben's father, the store-keeper of the hamlet at 
Eainsboro, replied : 

" Well, he's in the back of the store now, trading some butter." 

Looking in the direction indicated, an elderly man, dressed as a far- 
mer, with sunburn face and hands, "'as seen. His broad-brimmed straw 
hat, which was darkened and formleiiS from long exposure to all kinds of 
weather, was pushed back from his forehead, and his thin, snowy locks 
were in full view. He is, every inch of him, a hale, hearty old man, 
whose appearance tells of a head stored with good, sound common sense, 
and he belongs to that class whom ono delights to refer to as the 'bone 
and sinew.' His distinguished son resembles him very much, the father's 
high brow, and nose with the firm, open nostrils, being duplicated in the 
son. He had just come in from the farm, bringing with him six great 
rolls of yellow, sweet-smelling butter, which Mrs. Foraker had churned 
but a few hours before, and which he was exchanging for groceries. 

"What do you want it in ?" the store-keeper was heard to ask. 

"My wife told me to get it in sugar, to put up her blackberries and 
things." 

While the sugar was being put up, the correspondent introduced himself 
to Mr. Foraker, who straightway insisted that he should accompany him 
home, and, as it was near dinner time, an extra plate would be put upon 
the table. 

"There's always enough, and it's good, hearty country fare," he urged; 
"but I'm sorry you came all the way from Cincinnati, and I didn't know 
beforehand, for we can't make an extra spread for you now. You see, 
one of our neighbors is threshing, and we lent our hired girl to help them, 
and so Mrs. Foraker is all alone ; but our friends are always welcome." 

THE FORAKER FARM. 

The Foraker farm, which consists of 170 acres of good upland, is on 
the Hillsboro pike, from which the plain, comfortable house, painted 
white, with reddish-brown shutters, is plainly visible. The immense barn 
is between the. house and the road, and the first thing one sees on reach- 
ing the place is a towering heap of whea straw, which has just been 
threshed, and which is piled so high as to f lirly eclipse the barn. In front 
of the house are aged trees, in whose gratefil shade unnumbered chickens 
and curious young turkeys lazily take their noon-time rest, scarcely mov- 
ing as the newspaper visitor makes his way up the walk. On the porch 
are Mr. Foraker and his son, Charles, a younger brother of the Judge's, 
who is determined to be a farmer, who greet the traveler hospitably, and 
all these engage in a political discussion, while the lady of the house can 
be heard bustling about inside getting dinner. 



— 10 — 



THE ARMY. 



"Mr. Foraker," asked your correspondent, "didn't you object to the 
Judge entering the army?" 

"I did, but the boy was set upon it, so I let him go. You see his elder 
brother, Burch, was in a law office in Hillsboro, and when he enlisted, 
Ben thought he must go and fill his place. By and by he caught the fever, 
too, and said he was going to be a soldier. I told him that he was not 
mature enough ; that he could not endure the long marches with the 
heavy burdens he would be obliged to carry ; that he would become sick, 
go to the hospital and perhaps die. I thought it was good sensible advice 
to tell a boy of seventeen that he could not do a man's work. But my 
refusal weighed upon his mind and so I had to let him go. In his first 
letter home, from Virginia, I think it was, he jubilantly wrote that while he 
was carrying a load for a pony and was feeling well as ever, men of two 
hundred pounds were dropping by the road side." 

"Did you think that the Judge was going to be nominated ?" 

"I felt it in my bones, and when the day arrived I didn't need any tele- 
gram to tell me what had happened. Before the Convention I received a 
letter from Ben saying that if he was nominated, Hoadley would be worthy 
any man's steel, and that it would be no disgrace to be beaten by such a 
man, while to be victorious would be honor indeed." 

"Were you at the Convention ?" 

"No, it was right in the middle of harvesting, and I could not be 
spared." 

FATHER AND SON. 

"I suppose you are proud of your boy ?" 

•'Proud . f him ? proud of Ben ? Why, I'm his father, and- I'm prouder 
of him since the campaign opened than ever. I knew that Ben was pret- 
ty solid, but whether he could compete with Hoadley on the stump was a 
matter of doubt. Now, of course, I'm partial, for I'm his father, but when 
it comes to facts I know that Ben's always on hand. 

"Have you seen him since he was nominated ?" 

"He wrote me just after the Convention that he wanted to come here 
and rest for a day or two, and then he wrote again that he was kept, so 
busy that he din't know if he would ever come, but I saw him when he 
made his Fourth of July speech at Leesburg. For a long time I tried to 
get him alone, and finally we succeeded in slipping out into the bushes, 
and I stole a half hour's chat with him." 

"And what did you talk about ?" 

"I told him that I had read every word of his speeches, and that so far 
he had made no mistakes, and to be very careful. I told him to keep out 
of anything low or mean, to be conscientious, but he don't need any such 
advice from me. He's got more sense as regards politics and behaving 
himself than I ever will have, but he listens like a good son to everything 
I say." 

"Tell me, Mr. Foraker, are you going to take an active part in the cam- 
paign ?" 

"All his old friends in Highland County are going to vote for him with- 
out being asked, but I am a judge of election, and feel that to be perfectly 
Stfuare I should be above electioneering." 

"How did the Judge happen to choose the law ?" 

"I guess it was natural in him. When he was getting his education I 
was asked what I was going to make of him. I always had an ambition 



—11— 



Ito educate my children. I always felt the need of a good educa ion my- 
self and I prepared my boys so that when the time came they could them- 
selves decide upon what they wanted to do. Ben first wanted to be a sol- 
dier but after a bit he decided to be a lawyer. When he went to Cincin- 
nati I told him that he couldn't live there, that it was full of lawyers and 
that he would starve, but he said 'if you want to do business you must go 
where it is done.' and so he went. He only knew one man there when he 
went, but he got along all the same." 



MOTHER AND SON. 



And then the proud old father told the story of his "boy s triumphs 
and successes, of his goodness and kindness, and his ejnes lighted with 
Xasure as he spoke. While he was still chatting Mrs. Foraker came to 
fhe door and announced that dinner was ready She is an active old lady 
a typical farmer's wife, with sharp, kindly twinkling eyes, and hands that 
are ever busy, and in Seeing her. one understands from whence comes the 
Kdges indomitable courage and unceasing work. And oh how proud 
she is of her son ' Her face fairly beams with joy at the mere mention of 
his name and when his brilliant career is spoken of she smiles in an ex- 
cess of hkppiness. She said that she had been "putting up blackberries 
all morning and that the visitor would have to excuse the ordinary farm- 
e 'sTre aL looked dubious when your correspondent told her that an 
nonest home meal was fit for a king. And now that the dinner is a thing 
of the oast he can bear witness that Mrs. Foraker is as excellent a cook as 
her son^S a political speaker. Of course the conversation at the table was 
almost entirely concerning "Ben. 



THE COFFEE-SACK BREECHES. 



"Mrs Foraker," said the writer, "nearly everybody in Ohio wants to 
know the truth about those coffee-sack breeches. Now tell me did you 
ever make him such a pair, or is it only a campaign fabrication ? 

'oh no "The lady Replied with a laugh, "it is the solemn truth, and 
what is mo;e he wore them out. You see it was in the fa 1 when Ben was 
Tbout en years old. and the men iolks were all busy building a dam and 
fn the houL'^.he girl and myself had all we -^"^^ do preparing for hem. 
as there were a lot of extra hands. Ben wsa under the necessuy 
to have another pair of pants or he couldn't go to school Everybody 
was too busy to go to town to buy any doth, and for a time I didn t know 
Zh\lto do All at once I thought of an inside coffee sack that was in the 
house and so I mlde the breeches out of it. When I showed them to the 
boy he Took d sappointed and said: 'I don't want to wear them, the boys 
win make fun of ??e.' 'Never mind.' said I, '.f you make a smart man 
oeoDle will never ask what kind of pants you wore when a boy. 
^•Tes^' broke in Mr. Foraker. "that's the truth of it and it wasn t from 
extreme Doverw as some of the papers said. My wife is a saving kind of 
womanJL Lrtune to any man-and that coffee sack just happened to be 
k.ThT" FForaker's coffee-sack breeches are not yet worn out. They 
tm slick tL hTm itke Gran' s h'des. Old Abe's axe, and Washington's it- 
de hatchet. Such a man will win in Ohio and the country all the time J 

"There never was a better boy to his mother than Ben." continued Mrs 
Foraker "and he helped round the house as good as any girl. I taught 
all my boys to wash. Ln. milk. cook. spin, and Ben used to have to pick 
the geese." 



— rz — 



THE CORN. 



"Ben," supplemented the father, "was one of the kind of boys that 
thought that if any of the rest of his companions was able to do anything 
he could do it too. One day his elder brother, Burch, put up thirty -three 
shocks of corn, for which I paid him one dollar, and Ben felt that he 
ought to earn some money as well. I told him that he was too small to do 
such hard work, for the corn was strong and high, but he said he was go- 
inor to try. That day I went to the fair, and when I came back I found 
that he had put up his thirty-three shocks. He was not tall enough to tie 
them, and so he had got his little sister to stand on a chair and do it, 
A'hile he held the stalks in place. It was a powerful day's work for a boy, 
and I don't see how he ever did it." 

Running about one of the pastures on the farm is an old, dun-colored 
pony, which was owned as a colt and broken in by the now Judge. There 
is a story told that when he was still a "beardless youth," he fell in love 
with a Mt. Carmel girl, and so as to be near her he refused to go to the 
Rainsboro Sunday-school, but rode his pony to the one which was attend- 
ed by the object of his affection. But, alas ! for the poor boy. When he 
went off to fight his country's battles, she forgot him and married another 
fellow. The pony was ridden after Morgan, at the time of his celebrated 
Ohio raid, by Mr. Foraker, and at present the little son of the Judge, when 
he is visiting at the farm, rides the ancient nag to the Post-office for the 
semi-weekly mail, and, by-the-way, the farm was bought and presented to 
his parents by their ever-thoughtful son. 

THE SECRET. 

In the foregoing, we have the secret largely of Judge Foraker's 
character and success. It should be added that these parents are 
pious Methodists, with their morning and evening worship, with 
their regard for the sacredness of Sunday and of religious institu- 
tions, with their temperate habits and honest ways, and with their 
observance of the maxim not to "make haste to be rich." They 
had moved from a state cursed with slavery to begin life on free 
soil. They read little, but read thoroughly. They study the 
Bible and good books. They are most ^'"niliar with the Metho- 
dist commentary on the Bible — *bat of Joseph Benson. Hence 
the Judge was baptized Joseph Benson. Josephus' and Bunyan's 
Pilgrim's Progress are family text-books. 

GUBERNATORIAL PREDICTION. 

The boy, Foraker, was noted from earliest years for energy, 
perseverance, truth, and honesty. He was a hard-wrought boy, 
ploughing with a span of horses when ten years old. He took no 
pleasure in depressing his companions ; and while frequently aid- 



—10 — 

ing them in tasks and lessons, he excelled by his own innate 
strength. He led naturally. He was the chosen chief for victory in 
sports and games. In one of his feats of daring this barefooted 
and berry-stained boy, with pockets bulging with green apples, fell 
into the mill-race, and was rescued by Samuel Newell, ior a long 
time miller on Rocky Fork, who so admired his wise pluck in struo-- 
gling for life that that the rescuer said that boy would be governor 
some day, and, who, again, a few years after, when he had a dis- 
cussion with a Democratic relative, picked up his favorite boy and 
said, "We'll beat you some day for governor with this farmer boy.' ' 

THE SPARGURS AT RAINSBORO, 

September 15, 1883, the Spargurs of Ohio gathered on the farm of Juo. 
Bedkey, in view of the site of the Foraker \oj; cabin. "Uucle Joe" Spar- 
gur was chairman. Rev. Cunningham, of Hillsboro, offered prayer. Rev. 
Somner, of Virginia, gave a Bible talk. Mrs. Bedkey's Spargur re-union 
.song was sung, to an air, the product of the music-loving Milton W. Spar- 
gur. After-dinner Hon. H. L, Dickey's speech was on "Character" — its 
importance illustrated in the families of Rainsboro before him. Mr. A. D. 
Wiggins followed. Judge Foraker was then introduced, by "Uncle Joe" 
Spargur, as Ben Foraker Spargur, wheu the assembled six thousand made 
the forests ring with shouts of recognition and of their fondness for their 
neighbor, their soldier boy. No introduction was necessary, as the Judo-e 
was at his boyhood home, and among the friends and companions of Ins 
youthful days, where he had romped, and among the "boys in blue," with 
whom in riper years, but a boy still, he marched to meet unblushing trea- 
son in battle array. 

THE BREECHES AT HILLSBORO. 

September 19 is said to have been the greatest day in the history of High- 
land. From far and near came Highland's hosts to pay tribute to her hon- 
ored son. The streets were crowded, and it was almost impossible to get 
around. A moderate limit places the number at six thousand, which has 
only been exceeded once before — during the Brough-Vallaudisrham cam- 
paign. Judge Foraker arrived on the noon train from South Salem, where 
he addressed a great audience, September 18, in the campus of the academy. 
Here the Judge attended school after the war, and was personally known. 
The boys greeted him as Ben, both Republicans and Democrats, and 
Ben recalled the names of Beech and Amos and hundreds of his old school 
and army friends. At Hillsboro the Currier Band of Cincinnati escorted 
the Judge to the Kramer House. Here he was waited upon by the entire 
conference of the African Methodist Church, with their bishop. Visitors 
were introduced by Col. Glen of the 89th, his old commander. From Paint 
Township (the Judge's) came a long procession, headed by a dun pony, which 
the Judge rode when a boy, and followed by wagons containing thirty-eisrht 
boys with coffee-sack breeches, and a number of girl.<;, dres.sed in red white 
and blue. One of the wagons bore the motto, "Paint Township will White^ 
wash Hoadly." Flags were shown on all the principal buildings, and across 
Main Street hung an immense banner bearing the words, "Old Highland wel- 
comes her honored son, Ben Foraker, the next Governor of Ohio." Banners 
bore numerous mottoes, among them, " 'This boy will beour Governor yet'— 
Samuel Newel);" "Paint Township will whitewash Hoadly;" on the wagon 
bearing the boys in coflfee-sack breeches, "We will be voters by and by.'" 



The Beardless Achilles S War. 




J. B. FORAKER, Co. A, 89th Regt., O. V. I. 

Born on the day succeeding the Fourth of July, Ben was an 
extraordinarily patriotic lad. This miller farmer boy of Rocky 
Fork enlisted as a private, July 14, 1862, in Company A, of the 



— 15 — 

89th Ohio Infantry, the first man mustered into his regiment, and 
the last man mustered out. 

His chief and perhaps his only act of positive disobedience and 
wilful resistance against parental authority was when he made a 
Dundle of his scanty wardrobe and started off for the recruiting 
rendezvous, depositing his baggage in a corner of the car of a 
freight-train, determined to go to the defense of his country as a 
religious duty. When his departure was discovered, it was agreed 
to leave the matter to his brother, Biirch, and he decided that 
the boy should go, as he thought he had a mission of patriotism. 

Captain Glenn (afterward colonel) in raisifig his company, at 
Hillsboro, promised the position of first or orderly sergeant to the 
soldier securing the greatest number of recruits; and that of sec- 
ond sergeant to the private bringing in the next largest number. 
Ben went vapidly over Clermont, Eoss, and Highland counties, 
and was soon in jjossession of the promised place. A boy of but 
sixteen years of age, he said that he knew nothing of military 
affairs and generously and gracefully yielded the place to the 
private next to him in eflScient recruiting, he taking the second 
sergeantcy, August 2()th, 1862. This was in the second year of 
the war, Ben being only fifteen at the breaking out of the rebellion. 
His brother, the lamented Captain Burch Foraker, had preceded 
him in the service of his country. Keluctantly did his fond pa- 
rents consent to part with another son. 

The 89th, without having been in military retreat and discipline, 
was hastened into a service at once active and severe. Ben was 
in its exhausting marches, its camp privations, and its losses by 
battle and disease. He was made secondlicutenantjanuary 24th, 
1863; and then, first lieutenant, February 1st, 1864. Late in tfce 
summer of 1863 he was sent to Ohio to recruit for the regiment 
He was on this duty when the famous battle of Chickamauga took 
place — that battle of which the author of "Ohio in the War" said: 

" Falling back on Chattanooga, our army went into intrenehments. 
Monday morning at nine o'clock, Surgeon Crew, the only commissioned 
officer in the fight left, all being killed, wounded, or taken prisoners, of 
the Eighty-ninth, sick with jaundice, and just able to ride on horseback, 
found himself half a mile in fiont of our line of battle with forty wounded, 
twenty sick and seventy-five well men, — all that was left of the Eighty- 
ninth." 



— 16 — 

" Captain Jolly, who had been at home recruiting, arrived at Chatta- 
nooga the day after the battle, with the sick who had recovered. He was 
promoted to Major, and took command. The Eighty-ninth soon mustered 
two hundred men. For six weeks it lay in the marble quarry at Chatta- 
nooga with shell bursting over its camp from Lookout Mountain, subsist- 
ing on half rations, scantily clothed, and braving the rigors of winter. It 
witnessed Hooker's charge up the steeps of Lookout Mountain, and joined 
in the shout of victory as the enemy gave way and fled. The next day, 
when the charge was made on Mission Ridge, Major Jolly, at the head of 
his little band of two hundred men, led them to victory in the front of the 
attackiag column." 

Foraker, then but seventeen years old, reached Chattanooga the 
night before the charge of Mission Kidge. Eeceiving no orders, 
he entered his regiment as it was going into battle, instantly took 
command of his company, led it to the charge, and was chival- 
rously the first man of his regiment over the enemy's works. He 
served in the field with the Third Division of the Fourteenth Ar- 
my Corps, Army of the Cumberland. He was with the Eighty-ninth 
at Dalton, Georgia ; in liocky Face charge, February 25th ; in the 
campaign against Atlanta, and in the battles of Buzzard's Roost, 
iiesaca, Burnt Hickory, Peach Tree Creek, Hoover's Gap, Lookout 
Mountain, Mission Eidge, Ringold, Kenesaw Mountain, Eutoy 
Creek, Averysboro, and Bentonville. 

After the fall of Atlanta he was placed on duty with the Signal 
Corps. In Sherman's March to the Sea, November, 1864, he wa8 
on the Staff of Major General Slocum, commanding the army of 
Georgia. He remained with Slocum in the campaigns to the Sea 
and through the Carolinas. He was mustered out June 13, 1865, 
while serving as Aid- de-Camp on Slocum's staff. 

The U. S. Fleet lay off the mouth of the Savannah river, eight- 
een miles below the city, without knowledge that Sherman had 
reached Savannah. The river was as full of torpedos as the banks 
were of rebels. Foraker was selected to let the loyal people of 
the country know through the fleet that Sherman had finished his 
campaign. Foraker secured a row-boat and the services of two 
faithful negroes as rowers, and in the night, with one orderly, be- 
gan his perilous adventure. The boat ran aground several times 
in the darkness and barely escaped capsizing, took to the fleet 
the first news of Savannah's capture, as he will in October, send 



— 17 — 

the message all ovei- our patriotic country, that another battle for 
freedom has been fought and won. 

HOW THE NKWS REACHED THE PRESIDENT. 

There are thousands of citizens of Ohio who can recall with great dis- 
tinctness the days and weeks of agonizing suspense during Sherman's march 
from Atlanta to the sea, in Novemher and December, 1864. How the great 
heart of the North fairly stood still, in anxiety to hear reliable tidings of 
his progress, and the condition of his army ! What battles had been 
fought; wbut brave soldiers were slain or wounded? These were questions 
that were in every mind. No news came except through rebel sources, and 
there were stories of disaster to our army, put forth, as we afterwards knew 
to fire the flagging zeal of the Southern people, but they served to increase 
the anxiety of Ohio people who had thousands of husbands, sons and broth- 
ers in that army. 

FORT M' A L LISTER 

Was taken by assault, but Savannah still held out aud offered a strong 
obstacle to our nuirch. Finally, however, that city was taken, but there 
was no mean.g of direct communication with the North to transmit the news, 
Foraker reached the fleet, carrying Sherman's famous dispatch to the 
President, which our readers read on the morning of December 2G, 1864, 
and which electrified the nation, as follows: 

Sayaxxah, Ga., July 22. 
To Mis Excellency President Lincoln : 

I beg to present to you as a Christmas gift the city of Savannah, with 
one hundred and fifty heavy gun.s and a plenty of ammunition, and also 
about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. 

W. T. Sherman, Major General. 

The safe conduct of that dispatch was a daring feat, requiring the highest 
degree of courage aud judgment. People will readily remember tho indr 
dent aud the dispatch, but the modest young bearer of it has been known 
to but few persons iintil late years, though he is to be better known in the 
future. 

His superior officer in Military Division, Mississippi, said in his report? 
" * * * Lieut H. W. Howgate and J. B. Foraker succeeded in getting a 
part of the rebels' signal corps. 

Captain James IVf, McClintock, with his detachment with the right wing, 
acting in accordance with general instructions given by me to all the signal 
officers of the army of Georgia, to use every possible effort to communicate 
with the fleet on our [coming near the coast, on the 12th inst. he took 
with him Lieut. Sampson and several men, and went to Dr. Cheeve's rice 
mill, on the Great Ogeeche, within three miles of Fort McAllister to try. 



— 18 — 

if possible, to commilnicate with the fleet if any portion of it came up the 
river. During the night they tried to draw the fire of the Fort if possible, 
and during the night threw up rockets to attract the attention of any ves- 
sel that might chance to be in hearing or in sight, but without success. 
Daring the day and night a section of artillery (twenty pound parrots) un- 
der command of Capt. Degrasse came down and fired at the Fort. During 
the day and during the night of the 12th instant, until midnight, a gun 
was fired every ten minutes, and at the same time a rocket was sent up by 
the officers, but without any success. 

On tlie 13th instant communication was opened with Lieuts. Sherfey and 
Adams, who accompanied the Second Division Fifteenth Army Corps, un- 
der orders to take the Fort. General Slierman, who was at the Rice Mill 
Station, sent his orders by signal to Gen. Hazen, to make the assault on the 
Fort. 

IN SIGHT. 

At 3 P. M. a vessel came up the river in sight. They now called the ves- 
sel, and after some time a signal flag was hoisted. I ordered them to put 
themselves in communication with the officer on board ; but instead of an- 
swering the call, he began to call them ; they answered his call, and at once 
opened communication with the fleet. The officer on board the vessel asked 
" Who is there?" In reply. General Sherman sent the following message, 
"General Sherman's Army is now here all well. Savannah and Fort Mc- 
Allister closely invested." A number of messages passed over the line, when 
at 5 P. M., Fort McAllister was carried by assault. 

General Sherman now sent the following message to the vessel : 

" Fort McAllister just taken by assault; come to the fort immediately,'' 
Communication was opened from the station at the Eice Mill immediately 
after taking the Fort. 

On he 14th inst., Lieuts. Dunlap and J. B. Kelley relieved Capt. J. Mc- 
Clintock and Lieut. Sampson, at the Rice Mill Station. On the 16th inst. 
I received orders from General Sherman to establish a line from Fort Mc- 
Allister to his headquarters, some ten (10) miles distant. On this line 
Lieuts. Sherfey, Shellabarger, and Worley did duty. Some work was done 

on this line 

On the 21st inst. the enemy evacuated the city, and I at once went into 
the city to superintend the opening of communication with Fort Pulaski? 
and also to communicate with the fleet, or Major General Foster. * * * 

LIEUT. J. B. FORAKER 

Was ordered to proceed down the river and open communication with 
Fort Pulaski, if any signal officer was there. But finding it impos- 
sible to go far enough, owing to the marshy nature of the ground, 
he returned to Fort Jackson, procured a small boat, and pressing two 
negroes for oarsmen, he, with his flagman (second class private Thomas E. 
Matteson), started for Fort Pulaski, some nine miles distant, which point 



— 19 — 

lie reached some time after dark. He communicated soon after with Maj. 
General Foster, in person, sonip two miles ofl". He was the first to give him 
the news of our troops occupying the city of Savannah. On the following 
day he returned with General Foster to the city. The line from Head- 
quarters Military Division of Mississippi to Fort McAllister was broken up 
and one established from the hitter place to Rose Dew Battery. 

In conclusion, too much cannot be said of the conduct, efforts and energy 
displayed by the officers of the corps in trying to establish communication 
with the fleet. * * * Also Lieut. J. B. Foraker, acting signal officer, in 
carrying out his orders, in a small boat over unknown waters, almost at the 
peril of his life. 

Of the other officers and men, to whom no fine opportunities were pre- 
sented to distinguish themselves, all have willingly, faitlifully, and well per- 
formed their duty. I am Colonel, very respectfully. 

Your ob't serv't, Sam. Bachtell, 

Capt. and Sig. Officer, U. S. A. 

Lieut. Col. AVm. J. L. Nicodemus, Act. Chief Sig. Officer, U. S. A. 

I certify the above is a true copy of my official report of services per- 
formed by my command, for the month of December, 1864. 

Sam. Bachtell, Late Chief Sig. Officer, Mil. Div. Miss., 

and Brevet Lieut. Colonel." 

The confidence reposed in this soldier-youth was manifested 
»pon various occasions. 

When Sherman had deflected his columns, and with confidence 
of no further interruption, sought to open communication with 
Schofield, Johnson, with his usual skill, had fortified his position 
of defense. When Sherman's left wing was marching with the 
belief of freedom from any attack, it came directly upon John- 
son's skirmishers. The Union troops were driven in with some 
loss. Who was the trusted messenger sent by Slocum to Sherman 
to tell him that he (Slocum) was confronted by Johnson's whole 
array, and thus save the patriotic army and the campaign? Our 
Highland County soldier, who observed Slocum's injunction, 
"Be careful, but don't spare horse-flesh! He thus bearing the 
order for Hazen's division of the Fifteen Corps, and returning 
with it, reached the battle-field at three o'clock in the morning. 
It was by no political influence, or by the pleading of influential 
friends that Foraker was breveted captain, but for such services : 



— 20 — 

"Efficient services during the recent campaigns in Georgia and 
South Carolina, to date from March 19, 1865," as reads General 
Order No. 97, of the War Department, 

The people of Ohio felt that patriotism needed a revival, and 
they turned to the honest, faithful, and patriotic soldier as their 
candidate, who enlisted at the age of sixteen, and had earned his 
position of honest respect when the country was almost in the 
agony of dissolution, and when men were falling in battle like 
leaves befoi*e the frost. 

A well known j^rivate soldier writes : 

"For sixteen years and more at all our soldiers' meetings and re-unions, 
we of the rank and file, while conceding to the officers a fiur share of the 
civil offices, have kept demanding for the private soldiers some reasonable 
portion of the elective offices in our State and Nation. 

To be candid, for myself I hardly ever expected to see the day when I 
would have the privilege of voting for p- real live private for Governor of 
Ohio. But now, in obedience to this demand of at least one hundred 
thousand voters in Ohio, one of the rank and file of the Union Volunteer 
Army has at last been nominated for that grert office. Foraker must serve 
the sfootl purpose of showing those who sneer at us that a man may have 
been a private soldier aiid yet may be a great f-tatesman beside-^. 

Other titles Judge Foraker has of good right— judge, jurist, scholar, and 
all that — to recommend him to the respect and confidence of the people of 
Ohio; but his prominent recommendation among soldiers is the fact, and 
the fact it is, that he once wore the humble blouse and did the duty of a 
gallant private in the Union army. He was not one of those gilt-edged 
privates of whom we have so often read, who was only nominally for a day 
a private — with a full understanding that on the morrow the politicians 
would have a commission sent to him ; but he was at the front on the 
march, in battle, with his musket, knapsack and old canteen, just like the 
rest of the boys. He is our comrade by the strongest of ties. We must 
not let the politicians say to us hereafter, ' Here, now, you fellows have 
been asking us to nominate, a private, and when we did so, you defeated 
Private Foraker.' Let every .soldier in Ohio V9te for Foraker." 

The i)r,vate soldiers of Ohio knew Forakcr's soldier-worth and 
demanded and secured this private as candidate for governor of 
Ohio. As the officers in the person of Grant and of many others 
have been honored, so in Foi-aker is the whole r&nV and file of 
the army. 



— 21 — 

PATRIOTIC DETERMINATION, 

Capt. James Duffy, the well-known Eoman Catholic and Irish 
Democrat of Pickaway County, says that he will vote for Foraker. 
His language is : 

"I think it uiy Juty to God, my country, and myself. When we need- 
ed men to go to the front, Foraker, boy us he was, shouldered his musket 
and marched away. I was with him fighLing for our country. He can be 
trusted in war and in peace. He risked his young life for us, while otherj 
candidates were feathering tlieir own nest. As a soldier and a citizen, I 
shall vote for Foraker." 

Captain Cable says, "While Foraker is a very popular candi- 
date with the Ohio voters generally, he is especially so among the 
veterans, who are proud ot their candidate and the boy soldier." 

BEX FORAKER'S breeches— by PRIVATE BILE JONES. 

"Ben needed a new pair of pants when he was a boy, and Mrs. Foraker 
was too poor to buy the goods for them, and iiad noiiiing in the world to 
make them out of but an old cofTee sack. Ben looked a little ashamed 
when he tirst put them on, but his mother said, "Never mind, my boy; if 
you grow up to be a good and useful man nobody will ever ask what kind 
of breeches you wore.' " — Commerdal Gazette's Highland County Corre- 
spoudeuce. 

Old lady, you're just a leetle off 

In your britches pint of view — 
The kind of britches a fellow wore 

Made a difference in aixlu-two I 

There was the chaps that wore them gray, 

With gray-backs in every hem. 
And ragged and dirty— 6'<« ^At2/ was brave; 

We shot, but respected them. 

And there was them that sneaked at home 

And called us ■' Lincoln dog.s " 
And " hired cut-thr ats'' and nil such stuff — 

Them fcUers wore butternut togs. 

I guess, old Indy. about this time 

You've stumbled onto my cue, 
An<i it is se<trcely necepsiiry to speak 

About the "boys in blue." 

Yes. I was out in the Eighty-ninth, 

And fought the whole war through 
With your boy Ben, and /can swear 

Ben ForoJcer's britches was blue. 

For I saw hivi go wo ilfission Ridge — 

Alifu,/ „f the reaimi„t,ti<ii,— 
And JMiiip'thc works and straddle a gun, 

li'u I had an excellent view 

And we marched together to the sea 

And up through the Carolinas, 
And ]5en was with us er-c-nj time 

Amougst the swamps and pines. 



— 22 — 

Just call on the boys of the Eighty-ninth 

And ask them a question or two, 
And you will find that your boy Ben 

Was, britches and heart, true blue I 

And when us fellers walk up to the polls 

To vote for a Governor, 
Wf're agoing to ask "whrn we wn» out 

What kind of britches he icoref"- 

A FEW EXTRACTS FROM FORAKER's DIARY. 

We have been privileged to inspect the diary of this patriotic 
young and private soldier. We have space for but a few extracts 

/unc 5, 1863. . As tired a boy as you can ever find. . 
June 6, 1863. . Very sick all day. Longed for home. Marched nine 
miles. After a rest, ordered to march again. Sicker than ever. . . 

yune 7. . Marched to Murfreesboro — twenty miles ; worse on the way 
and gave out. Rode to Col. Glenn's house — nine miles. . . 
yune 10. . Burch [his brother] came. Never so glad to see any one. . . 
June \\. . Burch and myself went all over the battle-field. I saw enough 
to sicken my heart. War is a curse and our conflict a sad necessity. . . 
June 16. Ten months to day since I left "Old Hillsboro." . . . 
June 17. Night, and in charge of 155 men on the outpost — picketing. . 
Lynchburg, Ohio, Oct. 8. 1863. Here trying to recruit for our regiment. 
Dull business. Hope I shall not be compelled to remain here long. The 
old 89th has been in the great battle of Chickamauga. I feel sadly dis- 
appointed in not being there. . . . 

Oct. 13. . Much fun last night — burning "tar barrels" and hurrahing foi 

Johnny Brough and the Union 

Oct. 14, Highland County has gone for the Union by a very decided 

majority 

Oct. 15. An immense torch-light procession for the great Union victory 
in Highland County and Ohio. Brough's majority reported at seventy 
thousand. The supporters of Vallandingham look ashamed. . . . 

Oct. 25. Low spirited — want to go to the regiment 

Nov. 10. Start for the regiment to-morrow 

Chattanooga, Dec. 4, 1863. Reached the regiment just in time to go into 
a fight. Don't like fighting well enough to make a profession of it. War 
is cruel, and when this conflict is over 1 shall retire from public life. . . 

New Year's-day. Cold as Greenland, . Nothing to eat, scarcely any 
wood to burn, and enough work for ten men. . . . 

Jan. 4. 1864. Would like to be in Hillsboro to-day to go to church. Many 
a poor soldier to-day hovers over his smoky fire, while the cold, heartless 
winds come tearing through his thin tent, almost freezing him to death, 
and yet you hear no word of complaint. They are the bravest men that 
ever composed an army; and while my suff'ering is equal to their's, I feel 
proud of my condition — a clear conscience that I am doing my duty; and 
this affords me more comfort than all the enjoyments of home. I feel a 
pride rising in my bosom in realizing that I am a member of the old 14th 

Corps of the Army of the Cumberland 

Feb, 5, 1864. . . Getting along well ; but would get along better if I 
were not on duty almost every day ; but what matters this ? 1 am serving 
my country, and this is consolation enough. . . 

March 14. I864. Would like to be at home, going to school and prepar- 
ing myself for future duty; but my country calls and 1 remain. . . 



— 23 — 

Prom some memoranda of burials of soldiers the writer judges 
that our soldier lad read the burial service occasionally over a dead 
comrade, beginning, "Man that is born of a woman," etc. 

TWO OF THE BOYS. 

Mr. Doughty, of Company F, Eighty-ninth O. V. I. (Foraker's 

old regiment), an invalid at the Soldiers' Home, said to a correspondent 
of the Commercial- Gazette, " That he knew Judge Foraker from the time of 
his enlistment to the close of the war. My company was next to his in 
the ranks and in camp, and I had opportunities for close acquaintance." 

" How was he regarded by the boys ?" 

" Nobody was more popular. He was so generous and unassuming 
that he was universally liked. When he was promoted he put on no airs. 
Neither did our Colonel Glenn, of Chillicothe. Yet it was unusual for men 
promoted from the ranks to behave so. 'Ben,' as we always called him, 
engaged in our sports, and was as much of a boy with us as ever, though 
he could be dignified when it was necessary and proper. I verily believe 
that there is not a man of the old Eighty-ninth but will vote for Foraker, 
no matter what may be his party." 

" You look young. What was your age when you enlisted ?" 

" I was only nineteen, just three years the senior of Judge Foraker, and 
had a fellow-feeling with him as a young man." 

" Have you long been an invalid ?" 

" Yes, my health early failed in the Kanawha Valley, where many were 
taken down with camp-fever. Since then I have scarcely been well." 

" Does your regiment have re-unions ?" 

" Yes, it is to have one at Amelia, on the Cincinnati Eastern, the twen- 
tieth of this month. Judge Foraker will be there, I have no doubt, and I 
intend going if I possibly can. It is a great honor to the Eighty-ninth to 
have a nominee for Governor, and the boys will show their appreciation, 
by helping their old comrade all they can." 

Your correspondent then found another comrade of Foraker — Al. Bieber, 
of Company H, Forty-ninth O. V. I. Bieber is employed at Ritty's restaur- 
ant, (Dayton), and was glad to express his opinion of "Ben." He said that 
Ben never lost his popularity on account of promotion or anything else. 
" He was the same in manners from first to last," said ]5ieber. "A good 
many of those fellows when ihey got shoulder-straps on, wouldn't associate 
with the poor devils who hadn't the intelligence, or the influence, or the op- 
portunity to get promoted. We couldn't all be officers, and Ben seemed to 
understand that, and think just as much of us anyhow." 

" What's your politics?" 

"I am a Republican, but if I were a Democrat, I would vote for Ben, 
He's my man, and I don't see why he isn't going to be elected, It looks 
to me as though nothing could stop him now. He has the start of the 
other man, and will be likely to keep it. It's just like him. When he was 
Orderly Sergeant he always had his reports and other papers ready before 
any one else." 

THE TRUE SON AND A TRUE SOLDIER. 

Extracts from correspondence of the young private with his 
parents. 

In his letter from West Poinl, Va. Oct. 16, 1862.^ after describ- 



— 24 — 

ing the country and the situation of the army, he expresses his 
affection for •' Company I," of his regiment, he being on detached 
service. He refers to the sad necessity of using churches at times 
for army quarters. 

1862. 

Atigust 17, 1862. Camp Dennison : "* * We visited the hospitals. 
We saw hard sights, some with their arms cut to pieces, some with their 
legs shattered by balls and mangled. * * There are 100 secession pris- 
oners here captured at Pittsburg. They all confess a determination not 
to join the army of the Confederacy again. * * Instead of the ring of 
the church bell, I hear the drums and the fife. * * Sunday is not known 
here." 

September 20, 1862. Camp Shaler, Ky.: * * "I spent no money 
foolishly. * * We had Friday a nice flag presented by George Cole- 
man, of Cincinnati. 

Above Clifi07i, Va., Nov. 3, 1862. Father Dear. * * Two weeks ago 
we left Point Pleasant without tents or transportation, except that of the 
back. We marched fifteen miles the first day. We were compelled to 
use the rails of a hot rebel farmer, it was so cold. We built large fires and 
slept around them, but not very warm. * * We marched every day 
until Friday. This night, dark as it was, we perilously marched over hills 
and hollows, and stumps and rocks. It was cold and dark, and we were 
not permitted to talk above a whisper. * * We reached the enemy's 
camp to find it deserted. * * We have had one-third rations for two 
weeks. * * Hard business.- * * The nearer they come to killing 
me, it seems, the better I like it. 

Nov. 9, 1862. Cotton Hill, Va. * * Out all night and 'snowing all 
the time. Very cold this morning. * * In a snap we cut limbs of 
brush and propped them up for shelter for fifteen or twenty, building large 
fires in front. These the boys call boars' nests, bearing a strong resem- 
blance to a hog bed. * * Battles have be^n fought all around It is 
the place where our forces tried to capture Floyd. 

Nov. 18, 1862. From Catnp Fredrick, Va. Dear parents. * * You 
have no idea how much good it does me to hear from home and Burch at 
the same time. * * Uncle Sam owes me $51, and when paid I will send 
it home. I want something to show when I get home, for God knows 
that if anybody earns his money it is the private soldier. You write that 
you have hard times feeding sixty hogs and gathering the corn, but your 
work done, you have a house and a good fire for warmth with a table 
filled with plenty, a bed to sleep in. I get up from the ground at 5:30 A. M., 
call the roll, get a cup of coft"ee and a hard cracker, sling my knapsack and 
accoutrements, and start upon the mountain march of twenty-five miles, 
and then throw myself on the ground (wet or dry), with a thin blanket for 
cover. * * Poor Jack Foraker is about gone up with the rheumatism 
* * I sometimes think it is no use to fight any longer when such men as 
, (a noted northern rebel) is allowed to live in Hillsboro. 

1863. 

January 22, 18^3, Camp Rosecrans, Va. How did Burch (his brother) 
get along in the recent great battle? I learn he was on Gen. Rosecran's 
staff, and was riding over the field when the bullets flew thickest. He 



-25 — 

always was a lucky fellow at home. I saw five shots fired from up on the 
hill above our camp in a minute. The long roll was beat, and then you 
ought to have seen your Beo 

January 30, 7563, Steamer Express. I send you $60, to use the best you 
can; if your Ben never gets to his earthly home do what you please with it. 
Company A is without a captain, but Ben Foraker will never ask for a 
place. I have done my duty always, and have done nothing in the army 
I would not have done at home. I know I have friends and, what is above 
all, a clear conscience. . . . 

Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 8, i86j. I must tell you of our fight the day we 
reached Ft. Donnelson. The Eighty third Illinois was attacked by about 
7,000 rebels and artillery. They fought from 2:30 p. m. to 10 when we 
came up with the gun-boats and immediately opened out on them, and 
they "skeddadled." The next day I saw many dead rebels. Ah! To 
know how dreadful war is you must see it yourself. At home you may 
talk of the horrors of the field of battle and its wounded and dying, but to 
realize, you must see it. Terrible is the responsibility and criminality of 
those begining a war, and such a war, to build a nation on the corner-stone 
of slavery 

March 6, i86j. . If I am not careful, my debts will consume my wages. 

March 24, 1862,. . Marched all day and night and next day. . . Have 
not slept two hours since we left and got into camp. Hard soldiering. . . 

Cainp near Carthage, Tenn,, March 2g, i86j. . Awaiting rebels, he 
writes: No fire was allowed, and so sleep was out of the question, the 
night being bitter cold. We awaited the coming morn' for relief from our 
suffering. . . The rebels had disappeared. . . We marched twelve miles 
and then halted until sundown, and then marched till midnight, halting 
one hour and a half. . . Marched and scouted until next midday. . . 
Never was a boy gladder to get into camp than your son. My feet were in. 
a blister, and every bone in my body was as sore as if beaten with a ham- 
mer. . , Yet I could only be satisfied in the service of my country, and 
as long as there is an armed rebel in the land, and a demand tor men, I 
shall be on the field. . . There are some wishing our glorious Republic 
and her armies no good luck. Between them and me there can be no 
friendship. These men who would corrupt and demoralize our army have 
the bitter contempt of the soldiers. I shall do what duty calls for. If it 
should be my lot to fall by disease, or on the field of battle, I ask no sym- 
pathy from the enemies of my country. . . I like all my officers. . . 

Camp near Carthage, Tenn., April 26, 1862,. The longer I live the more 

I become impressed with the worth of character. Since I have been in 

the army I have lived right up to my duty. . . Major Glenn has been 

really a father to me. I never had better friends at home than here. 

Yours, Ben. 

May 5, /86j'. The prisoners say they have been drawing only quarter 
rations tor months, and no coffee, sugar or salt. . . They all cry "peace," 
and that they will agree to come back to the Union as it was; but this war 
will not end until all realize this is a Nation, and for the colored as well as 
the white man. . 

May ij. Burch at home. Does he look like the same dear old Burch 
that he used to? He wrote me you almost killed him with kindness. . . 

Carthage, Tenn., May 27. Mother Dear. * * You desire me to tell 
you about Jimmy Elliott, and what he said upon dying. * * His talk was 
jnost about his mother. He said he was willing to die, and was not afraid 



— 26 — 

of death. He felt it would be all right with him. * * Will there be a 
camp-meeting this fall ? * * Yours. Ben. 

May 31. * * A leave of absence of four days to meet Burch [his 
brother] at Nashville. It will be a glorious old meeting, you may bet your 
life. * * I wish mother was here to go fishing with me. * * Wouldn't 
mothier's eyes glisten if she was to haul out one of the largest fish of this 
region. . . . Ask mother if she remembers the time she and I went fish- 
ing at the big rock, at the head of Spargur's dam. I can see her throw- 
ing them out, as fast as I could take them off the hook and string them. I 
was not bigger than a pound of soap then. What a change in our family. 
. . . But enough of this ; it makes me sad. ... 

Murfrcesboro, Tenn., June 13, 1863. If there is anything I despise it is 
a man holding a commission in the army and at the same time finding 
fault with everything the administration does to put down the rebellion. . 

September 2. Dear Father ... I congratulate you in your becom- 
ing a captain of the Home Guards. If you want to know how to drill them, 
come down here, and bring a box of provisions along, and then I will 
hitch you in for about one week, and then you can go home with a good 
idea of the tactics. . . 

Chaiianooga, Tenn., Dec. i, 1863. . . . Arrived just in time to engage 
in the fight. I found the regiment under arms. The army charged Mis- 
sionary Ridge. Our brigade charged on double-quick over two miles and 
up an awfully steep mountain. I commanded two companies, A and B, — 
brave boys. I threw myself in front and told them to follow. They kept 
as pretty a line as I ever saw them make on drill. The rebs had two cross 
fires and a front one. They knocked us around, I reached the top ol 
a hill without a scratch, but just as I leaped over their breast-works a large 
shell burst just before me. A small fragment of it put a hole in my cap, 
knocking it off my head. . . As soon as I got into the breast-works and 
the rebs began to fall back I commenced rallying my men. I had the 
company about formed when Capt. Curtis, Gen, Turchin's adjutant gen- 
eral, galloped up to me and complimented me . . I never 
wish to see another fight. It is an awful sight to see men shot down all 
around you as you would shoot a beef. . , 

Dec. II. There is a hospital in the rear of our camp. You can hear 
the wounded screaming all through the day. Legs, arms, and hands lie 
before the door. . , They are cutting off more or less every day, , . Wai 
sickens me, , . I have about thirty men left out of the one hundred and 
one we started with over a year ago. The regiment does not look the 
same. . . Come what wRl, I shall stick to the company if J die with it. 

1864. 

Ringold, Ga., March 6, 1864. Foraker writes of the enemy taking a 
stand upon a hill after being pursued. He says: "More skirmishers 
being called for, I was ordered out with my company. I met the gentle- 
men half way, and after pouring several decided volleys into his ranks, I 
prevailed on him to go back- and let me have full possession. I regained 
all the ground lost, and kept it until relieved at 11 o'clock that night, 
though repeated charges were made on my line with a much larger num- 
ber. * * Our regiment had done splendid fighting, * * Capt. Vick- 
ers is a very brave man. * * I have $200 to my credit. I owe brother 
Burch $35 ; credit him and discredit me with this amount. 

Near Kingston, Ga., May lo, 1864. Within fifty-six miles of Atlanta* 
You have read o.' otir fighting from May 7 to 17. We. were under fire all 



— 27 — 

day the 14th. . . The rebels commenced retreating last Sunday night, 
and we have been following them, fighting their rearguard every day 
since. . . I write this letter within gun shot of the skirmish line. The 
sun is just rising above the tree-tops. If the rebels make a stand a bloody 
day's work will soon commence. . . My company stands up to the 
work like men. I wish no more honorable position than I now have. 

South of Etowah River, May 25. Within forty-five miles of Atlanta. 
. . Awfully hard campaign. It requirei all my strength and energy to 
endure it 

July 6. Ten miles from Atlanta. Going to have a hard fight. The 

enemy have their fortifications on the opposite bank of the river, and will 

make warm work for us in crossing; but cross we will one way or another. 

. The fatigues and hardships of our campaign of sixty-one days, have 

reduced our thirty-four men to nineteen 

In the Field, Georgia, July 26, 1864. We are within two miles of At- 
lanta, the Gate-City of the South. . . War will end soon. . . I am 
not discouraged. I am only tired and worn out. Think of eighty days 
in the field under fire every day, and in a dozen heavy engagements be- 
sides. . . I can't compare myself to anything better than one of Jake 
Foraker's old horses about the time corn is laid by 

Atlatita, Nov. 6, 1864. Dear Brother Burch: Was relieved from duty 
at Marietta, by Lieut. Adams yesterday. Arrived here last night. Capt. 
Bachtell will accompany Gen. Sherman. He was ordered to select five of 
his best officers and transfer them Dept. Cumberland to Mil. Div, I was 
selected as one of the five. The rest of the corps are sent back to Chat- 
tanooga 

1865. 

Savannah, Jan. 13, 1865. My Dear Father: A slight attack of the 
chills and fever, but am getting well. I am on duty in this city. . . Our 
next campaign will open in about a week. . . I wish I had my 

two horses at home. . . . 

One letter to his father is marked "confidential." It begins: "You 
being more experienced in the world than myself, I come to you for advice 
... I have a chance for a cadetship at West Point. . . What say you ? 
My strongest reason is that I am just the right age to get an education, 
and I can get one at West Point and still be in the army. If I don't go 
there I think I should go to school at some place. . . . Who will be the 
y.xt. President ? Get a man who will not fear to make a draft. 

I am tired of handling this thing with gloves. I say pitch in and 
"vipe them out. We have the men and the means. So why not put a stop 
•to this unnatural rebellion at once 

HIS ARMT LIFE. 

His own speeches contain at times allusions to his army life. At 
Camp fire, McCook Post, No. 30, G. A. R, April 28, 1881, Judge 
Foraker's topic was "The Soldier in Civil Life." He spoke of 
civil life furnishing the soldiers, of the dread of war through the 



— 28 — 

north, of men giving up private aifairs, business interests, and 
home and families; of repeated efforts at compromise; of the 
south regarding us as destitute of fighting qualities ; of our finding 
what blood courses our veins and of our patriotism, of our grand 
army of a million, and of our men ready for every branch of serv- 
ice. He stated that a colonel, needing a locomotive engineer, 
announced to his regiment that any man able tu run a locomotive 
should step out, and fifty men stepped to the front. He said : 

" I remember that when Sherman, on his march from Atlanta to the sea, 
captured Milledgeville, which was then the capital of Georgia, our boys 
took possession of the State House, from which the Confederate Legislature 
had precipitately fled the day before, organized a mock legislature, elected 
oflBcers, appointed commiCtees, drafted* a bill and enacted it into a law, re- 
pealing the ordinance of secession and putting the state back into the 
Union ; and did it all as creditably, showing as much ability, as could any 
legislative body especially selected for the purpose. . . Thus we see that 
there is strength in popular government, and. that government of the peo- 
ple, for the people, and by the people is no longer an experiment, but an 
established and demonstrated fact." 

The Judge noticed the spirit of alarm that a military despotism 
with a favorite general for dictator would subvert our constitution 
and suppress our liberties, or that the country would be filled with 
an army of idle prowlers. He said : 

"The soldiers in civil life to-day, are to be found in every field of useful- 
ness, every art, every science, industry, and profession — with only enough 
exceptions to prove the rule, wherever you find an ex-soldier, you firid a 
good, industrious, representative citizen. And not only are they toiling in 
Uie humbler walks of life, but they are honoring themselves and their 
country in the highest. As legislators, judicial ofiicers, governors of s tates 
and presidents of the United States, they" contribute to all the departments 
of government." 

NEW DEPARTURE. 

August 26, 787.?. before the Grant and Wilson Club, of Hillsboro, Judge 
Forakersaid: "P'or notwithstanding the new departures with which the 
Democracy hav.e recently seen fit to edify themselves, and notwith- 
standing ' the nomination of the Chappaqua philosopher, there is 
absolutely no safety and security for this government, nor for republican 
institutions in general, the world over, but in the continuance of this gov- 
ernment in. the hands of the same men who saved it until every question 
of the war and every question that has grown out of the war, shall have 
been permanently settled on the side of the right, 

MISSION RIDGE, 

These new departures remind me of an incident of the battle of Mission 
Ridge, — an incident which I think I shall never forget. When we had 
pushed our lines up that rugged mountain side, until we had come within 
a few paces of the rebel trench at the top and when, as it was obvious ta 



— 29 — 

every one, we would irt another minute sweep over their lines, bearing- 
down everything that might stand in the way, I saw a rebel soldier thrust 
his musket out over their works and fire it at us, almost in our very faces, 
and then, jerking it back, threw it down into the ditch behind him, leap 
over to our side and run into our lines, crying out to us at the top of 
his voice for us not to shoot him, for he was a Union man, our friend, etc. 
Our lines opened and he passed through, and down that rugged mountain 
side to- our rear something after the manner and style of a streak of greased 
lightning. It all happened in one-half the time I have occupied in relat- 
ing it. I don't know that I have ever seen the gentleman since, nor do I 
know that I ever shall see him again, but I do know that I always have 
believed, and most likely always shall believe, that if, instead of passing 
him. to our rear, as we did, our men had received him on the points of their 
bayonets and passed him into eternity, he would have gone up to the bar 
of God with a lie in his mouth. And yet, my friends, that rebel was do- 
ing just exactly what the Democracy are pretending to do. He was 
tak'mg his new departure. But I did not believe then, and I do not believe 
now, that his professions of Unionism and friendship were sincere. They 
indicated a change of mind entirely too radical, too sudden, and suspicious 
in its character and surrounding circumstances. And as I have never 
believed that that rebel was taking any genuine departure, except such as 
he could take by means of his legs, so have I never had any faith what- 
ever in these departures of the Democracy. And the reason why I haye 
never had any such faith are the very same identical reasons why I disbe- 
lieved that rebel. 

Here they come, many long years later than they ought to have come, 
to have been appreciated, and pledge themselves to maintain the Union. 
Yes. They wait till the war is over, till the Union has been preserved, till 
we are in a condition such as to render it a matter of but slight considera- 
tion whether they stand the one way or the other, and then they come 
forward with the pledge that they ought to have given the country in i86r. 
They in favor of the Union ! What a great pity it is that they didn't find 
it out sooner ! What a great pity it is that they did not see fit to come for- 
ward in 1861, and clasp hands across the little chasms that intervened 
between party organizations with the Union men of the country and pledge 
themselves before the whole world to so continue to stand to the end. It 
is a great pity because, had thef>' done so, the war, if ever commenced at 
all, would have terminated long before it did. And, in that event, many 
brave and precious "hoys" would not have gone down as they did in sac- 
crifice. But, my friends, it is not only a great pity that they so neglected 
this important matter, it is also a gross crime. The blood of all such 
"boys" is upon the skirts of this Democratic party." 

RECORD OP SERVICE 

At the reunion of the the 89th O. V. I., Sept. 20, 1869, at Hills- 
boro. Judge Foraker, among other good utterances, said on our 
battle flag are ciititled to be written the following facts : 

"Two years and eleven months in the service; more than three thousand 
miles traveled, over one thousand seven hundred of which were performed 
on foot, with knapsack on the back and tlie enemy in the front." 

Hoo-ver's Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge, Resacca, 
Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro', Atlanta, 



— 30 — 

Savannah, and Bentonville, are the battles, leavins: nnmentioned as too in- 
significant to be taken into consideration at least fifty such skirmishes as 
Phillipi, Rich Mountain, Scarey Creek, and Carnifex Ferry, which, in the 
beginning of the war, when they were fought, were thought to be great bat- 
tles. And these are the glorious inscriptions which we are entitled to write 
upon our flag. 

EIGHT HUNDRED FALLEN. 

Next comes the recital of the most terrible price at which they were pur- 
chased. Nearly. 800 fallen! For, starting out with more than a thou- 
sand as hearty, strong, noble and patriotic men as ever obeyed a country's 
call, we returned to Camp Dennison at the close of the war numbering only 
231, rank and file ; and among them all there could scarce be found a cor- 
poral's guard who could not show where at least one bullet of the enemy- 
had struck them. Not all of these 800 missing had fallen in battle, it ia 
true, nor perhaps the half of them, for with us, as with all soldiers, the ex- 
posures and privations and over-fatigues were more destructive than the 
enemy's bullet. But whether they had languished and breathed their last 
on the couch in the hospital; or whether finally obtaining a discharge or 
furlough and reaching home, their pure spirits bade farewell to their tene- 
ments of clay, and winged their heavenward flight from among tender and 
weeping friends; or whether, as was the almost indescribably sad fate of so 
many of our brave boys, their bodies were wasted and their deaths hastened 
by a barbaric starvation in the still more barbaric prison pens of the South, 
far from friends, without even a shelter over them, denied the slightest at- 
tention and even the kindness of a decent burial; or whether the messen- 
ger of Death found them on the lonely picket and upon an ever- to-be-un- 
known spot, poured out their warm life's blood to sanctify, hallow and to 
make holy; or whether souls went up to God from amid the dust and 
smoke and shot and thunder of battle: it matters not. All must be alike 
enumerated in our mortality list; for all alike, though in so many diflFerent 
forms, fell victims to the same great cause. All alike, living sacrifices upon 
their country's alter, that their country might live. 

A PLEDGE OF FRIENDSHIP. 

And now my comrades: we who were spared in this terrible havoc; we 
who stood, while so many of our number prematurely went down unto the 
dust of dfeath; we, who were permitted to survive the battles, the marches, 
the toiJs, the exposures, and all the other hardships and dangers incident to 
a soldier's life; we, who were of that fortunate few who were so highly 
favored as to be allowed to return home again, and enjoy in the bosom of 
families and in the midst of our friends that peace which our sacrifices and 
valor had achieved; we, who have all this to be thankful for, have gathered 
ourselves together to-day, not for the purpose of parade and glitter and 
show, but only that we may again stand in each other's presence and look 
upon each other's faces; that we may again clasp each other's hand, and 
while recalling and recounting the trials and dangers which we shared and 
passed through in common, have a recommingling of souls, and a refreshing 
and'renewing of that friendship which, of all other friendships, is pre-emi- 
nently the first. And. this, the anniversary day of Chickamauga, is certainly 
a most appropriate time for our purpose; for, although duly called mo 
elsewhere at the time, so that I do not have the honor of having partici- 
pated in the engagement, yet, in common with every other member of the 
regimeot, whether present or not, I cau not but feel aglow of pride tingle 



— Sl- 
xJown my cheek when I recall the heroic manner in which, from the beginning 
till the end of the fi^ht, you battled almost to annihilation against moat 
fearful odds, and finally, rather than desert your position, or yield an- inch 
of ground, you yielded up that which is next dearest to life itself — your ovm 
liberty. 

THE LAND OF THE FREE, 

And it is because this day was one of such great disaster, as well as great 
glory, that we do well to so emphatically remember it as to make it our 
anniversary upon which to come together and repledge our friendship, and 
return our thanks to our Almighty Father, through whose omnipotent care 
we were saved harmless from the ravages by which so many of our most 
gallant ofBcers and bravest men were swept from among us into eternity. 
But the preservation of our lives is not the only nor the great reason why 
we should to-day give thanks. 

It is an unworthy selfishness that would prompt us to rejoice for no bet- 
ter reason than that the storms and dangers of war should have passed over 
and left us to bask, unharmed, in the sunshine of peace and the security of 
victory. Let us rejoice that our lot should have been cast in the day and 
land when and where the opportunity was afforded us of becoming the in- 
struments, in the hands of a Divine Providence, with which to perform a 
work of such lasting benefit, not only to the present generation of mankind, 
but to those of all the ages which are to hereafter follow us. Yes, let 
the joy of our hearts be, that we can to-day recall that when the dark hour 
of peril and great responsibility came upon us, we were equal to the emer- 
gency and met it like men. That, unlike the many, who, under equal obli- 
gations with us, to the lasting disgrace of themselves and their innocent 
children after them, not only miserably, but most criminally, failed, we 
took our lives in our hands and went forth and stood as a wall of fire 
between the institutions of our Government and that enemy which, seek- 
ing the country's overthrow, were working the destruction of the country's 
people; and that in the performance of this duty we not only saved frona 
destruction the works of our fathers and founders, but in addition brought 
them to a much higher perfection, by wiping out that great stigma, wiiich, 
80 long as it remained and received the recognition and protection of ouf 
laws, retarded our development and corroded our morals by giving the lie 
to our boasted professions that here was " the land of the free and the home 
of the brave;" where ihe oppressed and down-trodden of every country 
and clime could find a welcome, a refuge, and a home. 

FORAKER AT HOME AND SCHOOL. 

Before Ben Foraker was nineteen years of age he was mustered 
out of the U. S. service, — June 14, lb65. 

The vpar over, the Union preserved, the slave at liberty, and 
young Foraker returned to farm, mill and school, studying at 
Salem, Eoss County. He was two years at the Wesleyan Univer- 
sity, at Delaware, Ohio, and then went to Cornell University, 
graduating in the classical course, July 1, 1869, and in its first 
class. 

With his limited means he was not only assiduous in his academ- 
3 



— 32 — 

ical Btudics, but at the same time he was also a student at law. A 
dear friend and class-mate says that not only did he study and 
read under high pressure, but on plain fare, at times boarding him- 
self and thus reducing his expenses to the minimum that he might 
eke out his scanty means and finish his entire course. 

fle went to Cornell from the University, with a letter from the 
Kev. Dr. Merrick, the then President, honorably dismissing him 
and certifying to his character as a student and us a gentleman, 
**ln all respects entirely unexceptionable." 

His literary reputation at college may be somewhat determined 
by the subjects for essays assigned him. His essay upon " Mac- 
beth," published in the Collegian, is modest and yet marks the 
thinker. The student, Foraker, asks why we should read Shaks- 
peare? He refers to human nature all around, as well as in the 
plays of the bard, and that Duncans and Macbeths stalk over 
the land in broad daylight, and that were there fewer men with 
jusl sense enough to quoie Shakspoare, and no more than to ren- 
der themselves ridiculous by tentative efforts at imitation, our 
writing and oratory would bo advanced in respectability. Fora- 
ker's analysis of Macbeth would do credit to an older essayist. 

In 1869 he was elected as the proper person to write to Senator 
Sumner to deliver an address at Cornell, and to receive the great 
Massachusetts Senator upon his arrival. 

Foraker is the only man who graduated first in the army, and 
then took college honors. As for his youth, "one ages rapidly," 
said Napoleon, " on the battle-field." 

Major White, of Springfield, thus writes of his record at college: 

" He was a recognized leader among the students ; probably because of 
his long military experience before entering the college, as he came fresh 
from the battle-field to Delaware. In his studies he was one of the most 
exhaustive students I ever knew, as he always took up a branch of study 
with a view of getting the most complete and comprehensive ideas on it." 

*' He was probably the best debater in the college. He was a promi- 
nent member of the Zetegathean Society, a literary society of the col- 
lege, and was one of the most prominent members in it. Foraker was 
always chosen to represent the Zetegatheans in any debate or contest in 
public, and in any literary or forensic contest with a rival society." 

" From the time of entering, while not neglecting his literary studies, 
much attention was given to the study of the law, and his lime, study and 
energy were directed toward this end. He was foremost in organizing a 
moot court and mock trials, and invariably acted as Judge, thus giving a 
prophecy of his future career." 

" Foraker was not of the kind to make anecdotes. He was a lively, de- 
termined, studious young man, with a life object in view, and an indomit- 
able will to obtain it. He was little inclined to joking, and was always 
earnest and serious. In the college tricks and pranks he took no part." 



— 33 — 

" He was head of his classes, and to show how great was his proficiency 
in his studies, I will simply state that he went from the Sophomore Class 
in Delaware, directly to the Senior Class at Cornell, thus jumping a class. 
He followed the classical course at both universities, but made an especial 
effort in all branches having a legal bearing or tendency." 

" He was extremely popular with both pupils and professors. His stu- 
dious, earnest bearing endeared him to all, and made him one of the 
most popular young men in the whole university." 

Judge Vernon, of the Clinton County Republican, says : 

" Foraker and myself were members of the same literary society while 

at college. In the debates, whatever side had Foraker, was almost certain 

to win. He was always a sure, strong fellow." 

THE FLAG CAN't COME DOWN. 

A college mate at Delaware and lawyer at Dayton recalls an^ 
incident that well illustrates the effect of Captain Foraker's pres- 
ence. Upon the college campus was a fiag-staff brought from 
Camp Dennison, and erected at the expense of the students, who 
were Eepublicans almost to a man. After some election or na- 
tional event, distasteful to the Democrats, the flag was hoisted to 
the top of the staff, by way of a glorification. In the afternoon of 
that day it was rumored that some Democratic citizens, not stud- 
ents, would lower the flag or cut down the pole that night. The 
boys arranged to have a couple of watchmen, and upon any hos- 
tile demonstration the chapel bell was to be rung. Sure enough, 
late at night some burly fellows made their appearance upon the 
campus and blustered about what they were going to do. While 
one watchman parleyed with them the other ran to the bell-rope, 
and in ten minutes the campus was black with students. Foraker 
was there, and although only a freshman or sophomore, and by no 
means one of the oldest students, they all instinctively turned to 
him for leadership. He confronted the disturbers, addressed them 
a few decided words in a dignified way, and told them that thac 
flag would never be lowered nor the pole cut down. They depart- 
ed. The pole was not thereafter molested. The circumstance 
shows the quality of Foraker, and the estimate in which he was 
held by his companions, and by his political opponents. VVhen 
Foraker said the pole should not be cut down and the flag should 
not be lowered, all knew that Foraker meant to resist the insult to 
the flag with his whole physical power — that it meant fight to the 
death. 

MEN AND PHI KAPPA PSI. 

We extract some choice periods from an address of J. B. Fora- 
ker, graduate member of New York Alpha, before the Phi Kappa 
Psi Fraternity, Columbus, Ohio, August 19th and 20th, 1874 : 

" . . . . You are here as the representatives of the active working 
members of the fraternity I . . Only they who have experienced it can 



— 34 — 

tnow how sweetly, grandly, and proudly will resurrect themselves in one's 
memory, bringing peace to the troubled mind, teaching its ever noble duty 
where the way is not plain, and lendintr strenirth for victory when the soul 
is tempted, those quiet, modest, but dinmond-like words, " Never forget that 
you are a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity." ' 

• * * * * « « «,« 

"Your duty is not a mere college pastime. Its objects are higher, — 
the symmetrical developement of our wIioIpi nature. It means men, 
men in the highest sense of the word, men who will depart from college to 
the battles of life with honesty of purpose, with appreciation of riirht, and 
with a power for work that will render the world better. Hence, be dili- 
. gent, earnest, brave, honest, and God-fearing — a credit to yourselves, an 
honor to your society, a gain to the world — . , making the mind brighter, 
the heart warmer, and the soul nobler as you pass on to eternity. 

It is plausibly arirued that the world is full of bad people, that lying, 
cheating, and evil generally are prevalent, and therefore 'You must fight 
the devil with fire,' that success must come by the use of like instrument- 
alities. Is this not generally an apology for misguided conduct?" 

" When Sir Francis Bacon bartered away the high honor of the great office 
of Law Chancellor of England, humiliation and disgust sickened every 
true heart of that proud realm. . . . But when the strong arm of the 
people was found sufficient, despite his mighty genius and influence to 
humble this great man, and strip him of the accumulations of his robber- 
ies, confidence in humanity revived and grew stronger, demonstrating no^ 
the retrogression of mankind, but the abuse of trust by one poor, weak 
public servant. . So with the discovery and punishment of our own 
faithless servants. . . Let us take cheer from the manifestations of vir- 
tue by which the people turn their backs upon their idols, rebuking sin 
and encouraging righteousness." 

After giving much useful advice the Judge said: 

"You may not thus gather wealth — you may not gather fame, but your 
mind will know a serenity, your heart a sunshine, ana your soul an assur- 
ance, compared with which all the riches and honors of the world are ver- 
iest baubles. Not because you shall be free from storms of trouble, but 
because you shall have the anchor of safety. . . You may be in ad- 
vance of many as to your opinions. Don't seek to avoid censure and crit- 
icism and to destroy your self-respect in an outward approval of the errors 
of the many. Boldly and unhesitatingly maintain your own sentiments. 
The most disgusting, demoralizing, and discouniging feature of entire po- 
litical systems is the abominable demagoguery of truckling to popular sen- 
timent." 



LET POLITICS ALONE. 

" Let politics alone" is sounded in the ears of the college graduate. . . 
In this Democratic country of ours every man is ciiarged with a voice in 
the Government. . . If the wickt^d are put in power, anil disaster over- 
take U8, will it be a sufficient excuse for the good man that he takes no 
part in politics? . . We must not sleep on guard and be criminally un- 
mindful of our highest duty. , . Have all to do with politics, both un- 



— 35 — 

derstanding and controlling. . . Our surest safety in politics lies in the 
exercise of honesty and intelligence in the formation and presentation of 
public questions." 

DISFRANCHISEMENT OF STUDENTS. 

The Judge in 1868, himself a student, gave to the press his 
views of the disfranchisement of students by the Democratic leg- 
islature, 

"There are about four hundred students attending this univer- 
sity (Delaware), about two hundred are voters. Not more 
than twenty of all are Democrats. The remainder are unqualified 
Union men. I do not know that this is the case with a// the col- 
leges of the state. It is so with most ; and I presume the Leginlat- 
ure thought it so with all, for in their very great wisdom and 
exceeding pa^rio/ism, they have thought best to disfranchise us, while 
here as students, hoping thereby te cheat a few Kepublicans out of 
their votes, discourage education, and retard progress and enlight- 
enment, the most deadly enemies with which the Democratic party 
has ever had to contend. 

" Bui, aside from this view of the matter, the law is certainly 
one of very great injustice and hardship to the students of both 
parties. For why should not the student enjoy the same rights 
that are extended to any other description ot temporary inhabit- 
ant? The clerk and the mechanic have but to remain here the time 
required by the statute, and their right to exercise the elective 
franchise becomes unquestionable, whether they are here tempora- 
rily or permanently. And so it should be with all classes of per- 
sons, and any enactments to the contrary are uncalled for and 
unjust. So we must pronounce this act, when we take it by itself; 
but when we couj^le with it the circumstances and facts to which 
it owes its existence, it becomes particularly offensive, and our 
disapproval ripens into contempt for a body of men who are so lost 
lo duty, lost to honor, and lost to conscience, as thus to legislate 
away the dearest of all American rights — the ballot." 

AS A LAWYER. 

He entered the law office of Judge James Sloane, then practic- 
ing in Cincinnati. He was admitted to the bar of Hamilton 
County in the fall of 1869, and at once began practice, with noj 
influential friends in the city and without the usual aid of mem- 
bership in some secret or social club 

" Slow rises worth, by poverty depressed." 

Thus it was with him for a season; but his genial manners, 
indomitable energy, great ability, and stern Christian integrity 



— 8fi — 

eventually secured hira practice, in every court, from that of the 
local magistrate to the supreme court of the United States. 

Hon. Ben. Eggleston says it was but a short time before the peo- 
ple of that great city saw that he was not an ordinary man; that 
there was something in and about him more than there was in 
ordinary young men. 

Judge Foraker, at the beginning of his law course, wrote, June 
1870, an essay for a Wilmington journal, in which (unintention- 
ally) he gave his personal views of the law as a profession and the 
spirit upon which he entered upon its duties. He had no apolo- 
gy for the " infamous Jeffries," nor for " Noy, who by his technical 
quibbling evaded and delayed the ends of justice ; " nor for "Eldon , 
who perverted his legal knowledge and powers to prevent more 
good than any other man had accomplished in a life time." He 
claimed and felt (and thus entered upon his work) that "the work 
of the lawyer is in harmony with, and part of the great laboi' of 
carrying humanity forward;" that his work is not only of pecu- 
niary benefit to mankind," but that the " lawyej's great work, 
properly viewed, is most closely allied to that of the clergy; " that 
lawyers should check and not promote the " perturbations of soci- 
ety;" that they should be leaders in contests for truth, liberty, 
and progress, and be ever on the side of the oppressed. 

HIS MARRIAGE. 

Ocober 4, 1870, Judge Foraker, with the memory of a blessed 
paternal home, married Miss Julia A. P. Bunday, a daughter of 
Hon. Hezekiah S. Bunday, of Jackson, Ohio ; the intimate friend 
of Lincoln, and a member of Congress in the most eventful period 
of our history. This lady he met while she was a scholar at the 
Ohio Wesleyan Female College, at which she graduated in 1868, 
and where she was noted for her high literary attainments. 

God has blessed this sacred union with one son and three daugh- 
ters. 

Mrs. Foraker often urged her husband to prepare an autobiogra- 
phy. The Judge wrote the preface thus : 

" I never liked the idea of autobiogi-aphies. For a man to write 
disparagingly of himself cannot be commendable. "It is a mean 
bird that fouls its own nest." If one's career deserves disparage- 
ment, there will be others to afford it. If not, it is at least well 
enough, if not better, to let it go unwritten. 



— 37 — 

On the other hand, if praise is merited, others should sound it, 
To praise oneself will appear egotistic — no matter how deserved. 
To avoid both disparagement and praise is difficult, if not well- 
nigh impossible. 

It might be thought these objections could be avoided by a 
mere naked statement of facts, but that is not really true, since 
the mere statement of any given act must carry with it the idea 
thai, accordingly as its nature may be, the author suffers it to re- 
dound to his credit. Entertaining such views, it is in the nature 
of an unpleasant task that I enter upon this short work, and yet| 
I undertake it, contradictory as it may seem, in another sense, 
with very great pleasure. I do it at the request of a loving, ad- 
miring and devoted wife; a wife who by ten years of fidelity, 
affection and devotion to every duty, and by four as bright and 
beautiful children as ever graced any union, has merited and won 
for herself all the confidence and love that belongs to the several 
and hallowed offices of wifie and mother. These statements must 
be my apology for these jjages. 

The Judge wrote a few lines and never resumed the task. 

FORAKER AT HOME. 

Our public men should not only be moral and upright men, but men who 
appreciate home life ahd are examplars of family, as of patriotic sentiment. 
What would our nation be without its homes ? 

Upon entering the home of Judge Foraicer, with the home spirit, and not 
witli that of impertinent intrusion, in lifting tlie purple curtains where his 
weary bruin rejjoses, we find a true liome, a true husband, and a true father. 
We exercise no distasteful scrutiny; but, we can not but see a true religious 
and American home. The country more and more demands of our states- 
men that they erect for themselves, pure, virtuous homes. 

Tlie Judge has no sympathy with the sentiment or the lav\' that de- 
atroYs the individuality of the wife, or whicli awards greater punishments 
to a woman for the same vice, or whicli classes women with infants and idi- 
ots; yet he values the intellecttial filtering through the moral nature, giv- 
ing power, maintaing virtue, exercising that subtle influence whicli makes 
every moment a seed-time of future good, and finding scope for mind and 
heart in the education of the children. He esteems the wife as companion, 
lover, friend and counsellor, having her especial duties as he has his — a di- 
vision of labor. 

JUDGE OF SUPERIOR COURT. 

In April, 1870, he was elpoted a Judge of tlie Superior Court of Hin- 
cinnatti. He held tiiis ottice for three years. Tlie kind of record he 
made is best shown by the expressions elicited by his resignation. One 
decision selected at random out of the many that have been published will 
illustrate his logic and style of exprtssion: 



— 38 — 
SUPERIOK COURT OF CINCINXATI.^ 

GRNERAL TERM, JANUARY 1882. 

Margaret R. Poor, Plaintiff. 

vs. 

Sabah S. Scani.an and Maurice J. Scanlan, Her Husband. 

Foraker, J. : 

This case was reversed upon the evidence. It is an action for rent. 

From the pleadings and the evidence it appears that March ist, 1857, 
the plaintiff, being then the owner thereof, leased a certain lot on the 
north side of Third street in the city of Cincinnati, to George Selves, for 
ninety-nine years, renewable forever. The certificate of acknowledge- 
ment of the lease was not written on the same sheet of paper that the 
lease was written upon, but on a separate sheet attached to the paper the 
lease was written upon, by a common paper fastener. All parties seem, 
however, to be ignorant of this fact until after this suit was brought. Selves 
held possession of the premises under the lease, paying the rents reserved 
therein: $250 every quarter, until his death in 1862. When he died he 
left a will by which he devised to his widow Sarah Selves, now Sarah S. 
Scanlan, the defendant herein, all his real estate for life. She elected to 
take under his will, and at once took possession of this leasehold estate. 
She remained in possession continously until after this action was com- 
menced, paying the rents reserved according to the covenants of the lease, 
until June i, 1878, when she refused to pay the quarter's rent then falling 
due, and offered to surrender the premises, which offer was not accepted. 
She had not paid anything since. In 1869 she married her co-defendant, 
Maurice J. Scanlan, who, jointly with her, has occupied and used the 
premises since, until they quit possession in 1881. 

This action was commenced in 1879, to recover four installments of 
rent that had become due, amountmg to |i,ooo. The petition simply 
alleged that tli-^re was due the plaintiff, from Sarah S. Scanlan and Mau- 
rice J. Scanlan, for rent of the said premises, $1,000, and prayed for 
judgment against the defendants. Nothing was said, either in the style 
of the case or the body of the petition, about the defendants being hus- 
band and wife. No reference was made to the lease, and there was no 
allegation that the wife had a separate estate. The case stood upon this 
petition and a general denial filed thereto, by the defendants, when it 
came on for trial. The facts above mentioned appearing, the plaintiff 
was allowed to re-file an amended petition which she had previously filed 
and withdrawn, in which the facts above stated, except as to the defective 
acknowledgment of the lease, were fully set out, together with allegations 
that the wife had a separate estate, followed by a prayer for judgment and 
appropriate relief. The defendants excepted to the re-filing of this 
amended petition, and thereupon answered, denying all the allegations of 
the amended petition, except that George Selves occupied the premises at 
his death, that Mrs. Scanlan was the devisee of all his real estate for life, 
and that she entered into and held possession of the premises in question 
until 1881, and that she married Scanlan in 1868, also that she held for 
life, under the will of Selves, the real estate described in the petition, as 
her separate estate. Defendants claim that the amended petition ought 
not to have been allowed, because a departure. 



— 39 — 

It is not pretended that defendants were surprised or placed at any dis- 
advantage by it The provision of our code on this subject is that such 
amendments may be made when in furtherance of justice, and when they 
do not substantially change the claim or defense. Section 51 14. In the 
case of Spice vs. Steinnuk, 14th O. S., 213, it was held that this did not 
refer to the form of the remedy, but only to the general identity of the 
claim, and, consequently, that it was permissible, as was done in that 
case, to so amend the petition ^s to change the acion, which was to re- 
cover damages for a malicious prosecution, to support which malice and 
want of probable cause had to be shown, to an action for dnnia<;es for an 
illegal arrest, to sustain which it was not necessary to show malice or 
want of probable cause, but only a 7'(>?V/ process. The amendment in this 
case certainly does not change the claim that is made in the petition. At 
most it but changes the form. It can scarcely be said to fairly do even 
that. It is really nothing more than a statement of the facts of which we 
have the naked legal effect set forth in the petition, with some allegations 
about a separate estate, which according to our view of the case, are only 
so much surplusage. 

Considering the case upon its merits, there are two general propositions 
relied upon by the defendants. In tlie first place it is claimed, that because 
]V)r. Scanlan was tlie devisee of this leasehold only for life, she took less 
than the whole term, and she was consequently a sub-lessee, and not an as- 
signee, and if but a sub-lessee, not liable to the lessor for want of privity of 
estate. 

For a second defense it is insisted that the defendant, ^Irs. Scanlan, has 
done no act to authorize her se{)arate estate to be charged. 

Either of these propositions would be sufficient for the defendants if it 
could be applied to this case. But in our opinion, neither one has applica- 
tion. 

The first has not, because the instrument intented for a lease to Selves 
was invalid, as such, by reason of the acknowledgment being written on 
on a separate sheet of paper. Winkler vs. Higgins, 9 O. S., 599. It did 
not pass the term to Selves. It was, consecjucntiy, at most but an equita- 
ble lease, giving him a right to occupy and enjoy the premises upon the 
terms and conditions named in it, and binding him, as upon personal cov- 
enant, to comply with is terms and conditions, so long as he remained in 
possession. Bridgeman vs. Wells, 13 Ohio, 43. This c qiiitable right was 
all that passed by the devise. And this rigtit and dclcntiant took wiihout 
assuming his personal covenant. Her undertaking was by an implied con- 
tract to pay for her use and occupation, so long as she enjoyed the same, 
according to the terms of the lease. This contract was between her and 
the lessor; hence their was privity of contract at least. 

The second proposition would be unanswerable, if the plaintiffs right to 
recover a judgment depended upon a right to charge Mrs. Scanlan's sep- 
arate estate upon such a contract entered into during coverture. For we 
fully agree \Mih the claim of her counsel, that in such a case it must be 
shown that she intended to charge her separate estate, and that such in- 
tention was relied upon. But, in our judgment, this is not such a case. 
This is merely an action to recover a personal judgment, and whether or 
not such a judgment shall be rendered, does not depend upon, and is not 
affected by, the question whether or not she at all has a separate estate. 
Mrs. Scanlan was -3. feme sole when she took possession of these premises. 



— 40 — 

She was t-herefore competent to contract, and as we have seen, did, by im- 
plication, contract to pay, according to the terms of the lease, so long as 
she remained in possession. Her continued possession, after marriage, as 
well as before, must be referable to her original entering, and must have 
been therefore in pursuance of the contract to which we have alluded aS 
thereby made for her by operation of law. Especially do we think so in 
view of the fact that she took possession for life, and hence did not have 
occasion to periodically consider, whether or not she would continue there. 
This being true, she held the premises at the time the rents accrued, for 
which she is now sued, under a contract, which the law made for her when 
she took possession, and which was in force when she married her co- 
defendant, whereby she was obliged to pay the same. It is upon that 
contract that this action is based: a contract therefore substituting at the 
time of marriage; not made during coverture, but before. 

This view is not affected by the fact that her occupation, after marriage, 
was jointly with her husband, since her interest and rights in the property 
under our statute, section 3108, remained her separate estate. 

The case is, therefore, properly stated, an action against husband and 
wife, to recover rents that have become due, during coverture, upon a 
contract made by the wife before marriage, and existing at the time of 
marriage. At common law, marriage made the husband liable for the ex- 
isting obligations of his wife. But in all actions against him to enforce 
them, she must be joined as a'codefendant, without regard to whether she 
had a separate estate or not. Drew vs. Thome, Aleyn, 72, 7 Term, Rep., 
348. If, therefore, we had no statute on the subject, this action would lie 
against the defendant for a money judgment. 

In such case however, i. e. if there were no statute, the separate proper- 
ty of the wife could not be taken to satisfy the judgment. But in such 
actions we have instaadof a common law rule that the wife must be joined 
with the husband, sec. 4996, of rev. statues, which require the husband 
to be joined with the wile. And instead of the wife's separate estate 
being exempt from liability to be taken to satisfy the judgemnt we have 
it expressly made liable by section 31 10, which provides that " the sepa- 
rate property of the wife shall be liable to be taken for any judgement ren- 
dered in an action against husband and wife, upon a cause existing against 
her at their marriage, etc." 

The language of this section has been changed somewhat since the case 
of Westerman rs. Westerman, 25 O. S., 500, v/here it was constructed to 
mean that the wife's separate property was not only liable to be taken in- 
such case, but that as between her, and her husband's property, it was 
primarily liable, but the change has only made it more apparent that the 
legislative intent agreed with the construction of the Court. 

Our conclusion is that this is an action against Mrs. Scanlan ana her 
husband on a contract obligation of hers, existing at their marriage, that 
it is immaterial whether she intended to charge her separate estate or not, 
and that judgment should be rendered for the plaintiff ; Jas. H. Perkins 
and D. H. J. Holmes, attorneys for defendants. 

THE TRUE MAN. 

We desire not to study Joseph Benson Foraker as a lawyer, sol- 
eier, or scholar, but to discover the man in the conduct of the 



— 41 — 

lawyer, judge, soldier, and scholar. We study his brieft^ and 
charges and speeches to see how he links himself with broad hu- 
manity, to discover why men and women, citizens and soldiers 
trust him, and honor him. Thus we present the remarkable ad- 
dress that Judge Foraker delivered in memoriam before the Dis- 
trict Court at Hillsborough, Ohio, upon the death of Judge Sloan, 
with whom Judge Foraker was formerly a law student. 

JUDGE SLOANE. 

Among his embarassments in delivering the address he said, 
"that Judge Sloan was unlike any man of his acquaintance." 

"On account of some of his peculiar traits of character, I know him to 
be a greatly misunderstood man by a majority, I think, of the people who 
professed to be acquainted with him. And knowing him to have been 
thus misnnderstood, T fear there may be those who will regard at least a 
part of what I shall say in praise of his character as mere empty and ful- 
some eulogy, instead of earnest and honest testimony. 

I have no desire, or interest either, to speak in this matter aught save the 
strictest truth ; and I know that he for whom I speak had so much truth in 
his heart, that he would utterly despise the slightest deviation therefrom, 
no matter how much that deviation might favor his memory in the estima- 
tion of men. 

Therefore, I feel perfectly free, as well as con.scientiously obligated, to 
say here to-day, as I have frequently said to the deceased in his lifetime, 
that there were certain striking features in his outward character that were 
objectionable, in the most serious sense of the word ; for I considered them 
immoral and pernicious in their influences. 

But for these things Judge Sloane is not answerable to us. That settle- 
ment must take place between hin) and that highest, wisest, and kindest 
Judge of all. . . . Let us remember that humane injunction of the 
Savior, "Judge not, that ye be not judged." 

It was my fortune to know Judge Sloane well. I knew him for a num-, 
her of years, and in a variety of relations. I think the majority of even 
this community, where he lived and died, never knew him except as I first 
knew him, and by all sucli Judge Sloane wiis not really known at all ; for I 
first knew him only as a great, intellectual, legal giant, upon whom, when 
he went forth into public places, I, in common with others, was at liberty 
to look ; and, if he chanced to pass my way, the compliments of the day 
might perhaps be deferentially exchanged. Closer than lliis I felt that I 
dared not, and I know that I desired not, to go; for there seemed to be n 
kind of Ishmaelitish coldness and bitterness about the man that rendered 
him uninviting to all except his personal friends, who knew him well, or 
such as might stand in need of his splendid talents. 

In siiort, as I have already stated, I thought him only a cold, selfish, am.- 
bitious, iuteliectual giant ; and iiad I never come closer to J udge Sloane, 
liis loss would not now concern me much; fori have long since learned that 
there are giants in ^/ifse as well as in ^Aose days, and that the places of 
giants simply are easily supplied. 

FRIEND, PRECEPTOR, ASSOCIATE. 

But I shall always be glad that it was within God's providence that I 
should know Judge Sloane better. His great abilities as a lawyer led rae 



—42 — 

to sufficiently subordinate my objections to him personally to enable me to- 
take a place as a student in his otfice. My association and connection with 
him. in some manner, was uninterrupted from that time until the day of 
his deatli. And I can say now, tliat in all the relations of a friend, a pre- 
ceptor, as associate, and as opposing counsel, I have ever found him to be 
the very soul of honor. 

He was the very body of truthfulness itself. I don't believe the man 
ever told a lie in his life. And wiien I remember how my daily experience 
teaches me that "the world is given to lying," I feel that absolute truthful- 
ness is a rare and an ordinary virtue to be siscribed to any man. 

But Judge Sloane was not simply a truthful man. He was as honest. 

I don't mean that Judge Sloane was honest merely in money matters. 
The country is full of people who pay back all they borrow, and pay for 
all they buy, and take not, unlawfully, that which belongs to another. 
There are a thousand reasons why a man should be honest in these respects, 
and a thousand reasons why a maji deserves no credit for such honesty. 

Judge Sloane was honest in that liigher, and better, and braver .sense of 
the word. He was honest in the .sense that honesty is the equivalent to 
truthfulness. There was no sham about him — no hypocrisy— no deception 
— no false pretense — no borrowed capital — no sailing under false colors. 
Whatever he pretended or appeared to be, that he was. If he manifested a 
spirit of friendliness toward anj^ one, it was a genuine spirit, and the person 
toward whom it was manifested could rely on it to the fullest extent. And 
on the other hand, if he disliked any one, if was a genuine dislike, but the 
person disliked need have no difficulty in learning the facts in the case. 

In other words, whatever he was that he was earnestly, fearle.ssly, and 
outspokenly, and whatever he believed, he believed earnestly, and what 
he didn't believe earnestly he didn't believe at all. He was no reed to be 
shaken by the wind. 

Judge Sloane was also a kind and generous man. I do not mean kind 
and generous to the rich, for that would be easy for any man to be ; nor to 
his equals, nor to the well-to-do classes — from all which sources he might 
reasonably have expected some benefit in return. Nor do I mean that he 
was kind and generous in public places, where his acts of kindness and gen- 
erosity would be seen and known of all men. But he was kind and gener- 
ous in a way that showed his kindness and generosity to be genuine. He 
was kind and generous privately rather, and to the poor and lowly, from 
whom he could not possibly expect anything in return. 

HIS CHARITY. 

I well remember, and shall never forget an incident that occurred in his 
office at Cincinnati, while T was a student with him. Hardly a day passed 
witnout from one to a half-dozen beggars coming into the office, with their 
various stories of poverty and destitution. 

The city of Cincinnati cares and provides well for all who are really 
needy, and on this account it is rarely the case that any one who knows it, 
as Judge Sloane did, gives anything at all to that class of mendicants. 

It was to my surprise, therefore, that day after day I observed that he 
never refused a single application, but patiently and kindly listened to the 
appeals of all, and gave soinething to every single one. 

One day I ventured to call his attention to the matter, and to suggest 
that perhaps he was being imposed upon. There was a perfect sermon of 
genuine religion and Christianity in his reply, that, "he had long since 



— 43 — 

come to the conclusion, that it was better to be imposed upon in many 
cases, than to turn away empty even one worthy applicant." 

But Judge Sloane was kind in another respect. He was kind to the 
young practitioner. And standing here to-day, as in some measure the rep- 
resentative of the younger members of the bar, you will excuse me if I ask 
a special remembrance of this trait of his character. .... 

It should not be any uncommon virtue, yet we all know that it too truly 
is. Every young man who starts in the profession of the law must en- 
counter difficulties and perplexities, and troubles of various kinds. . . 

. . When the country was imperiled and brave hearts were needed at 
the front, he was the first of all our citizens to appreciate the situation and 
to step forward with both his services and his blood. * . . . 

Of Judge Sloane as a lawyer I shall say but little. We all know how he 
towered among us; and how his mind was exceptionally remarkable for ita 
power of discernment, analysis, and logical reasoning. .... 

. . We know, too, how, with an almost uncommon fidelity, he at all 
times maintained the interests of his clients. . . . But for that "grievous 
fault," for which he was continually "grievously answering," he would in 
all probability have risen to national importance 

When we consider the turbulent times through which we have just 
passed, the great fields of national usefulness that they presented, and the 
rich honors that have been therein gathered by others; and when we 
further consider his splendid abilities, his scrupulous honesty, and his un- 
swerving patriotism, who can feel otherwise than that it was a genuine 
misfortune both to the country and himself, that Judge Sloane did not figure 
in national aflairs. ..... 

. . . But regrets are vain. His life has been lived ; his record ia 
made. . . By his sad loss let us be freshly and impressively reminded of 
the importance of correctly living while we do live, of making the most of 
time while we have it, both for this world and eternity. 

AN HONEST OFFICER. 

In the fall of 1876, Judge Baxter, of the U. S. Circuit Court, 
appointed Foraker to the delicate and responsible position of 
Chief Supervisor of Elections for the Southern District of Ohio. 
Again he made a personal sacrifice of feeling and business in the 
interest of his country and party, and of the purity of the ballot. 
He administered its duties so fairly that even the Democrats, in 
their Congressional investigations, made record of his honorable 
integrity as the officer of the law. 

Judge Foraker, by common consent, was agreed upon by men of 
all parties, and endorsed by the Judge for chief supervisor by rea- 
son of his purity, integrity, and courage, as " v^orthy, honorable 
and true in every respect, who would desire nothing but a free, 
fair, straightforward election, and as down on all fraud, and down 
on all men who undertake to cast an illegal vote, or import votes 
from any State to Ohio, or from any ward or precinct to any 
other." 

It is remarkable that in the canvas to be hotly contested, and 
amid the anxieties of candidates and parties for victory, Judge 



— 44 — 

Foraker was the only person upon whom all, Democrats and Ee- 
publicans could harmonize. It is an enviable tribute to honest 
and moral worth. 

In the spirit of eminent fairness, Judge Foraker, as chief super- 
visor, asked Mr. Sayler, as chairman of the Democratic elective 
and campaign committees, to present the names of Democrats as 
supervisors. He said that he desired to have "all parties fairly rep- 
resented, and by only good, honest, representative men, who will 
perform their duties solely in the interest of an honest election, 
and without regard to partizan advantages." 

In the course of the correspondence with the obstructives of the 
law to promote pure elections, Judge Foraker took occasion to de- 
clare that the government of the United States could not only 
protect itself against an armed rebellion, but could protect itself 
against fraud and abuse at the ballot-box. 

The character of Judge Foraker is seen in his instructions to 
his subordinate supervisors. After a minute examination of their 
duties and methods so as to cover almost every conceivable case, 
he declares that their duties are " to secure an honest, full and free 
expression of the voice of the people. This is of far greater im- 
portance than the success of any party or candidate. You are the 
representatives of all parties and all candidates, and your work is 
in the interest of the whole people — for law, order and good gov- 
ernment. You will, theref<)re, carefully abstain from all election- 
eering, discussion and controversy." , 

Such an administrator of law may be safely trusted in any ex- 
ecutive position. 

Foraker was nominated for Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, iu 
1867, but was defeated by the notorious Eph. Holland frauds of that year. 
The confidence of the Republican Community in Judge Foraker was agaiu 
evinced in his nomination for County Solicitor, in 1868. This was with- 
out his knowledge and against his wishes, but he served his party and his 
country, when he knew that he would suffer defeat. 

RESIGNATION. 

Upon the announcement in Cincinnati that Judge Foraker contemplated 
leaving the bench, the strongest remonstrances were made by the legal 
fraternity and by lay friends, without regard to party. They insisted 
upon his retaining the position, and the taking of a long vacation until his 
health had been regained ; that his health had been lost in public service 
and that the vacation was his right. But his sensitive nature would not 
permit his receiving the least portion of salary for which no current equiv- 
alent was rendered. After the resignation had been forwarded to Colum- 
bus, telegrams were sent to the governor urging its non-acceptance. Among 
them were those from Hons. Force, Hoadley, Perry, Kettredge, and War- 
rington. 



— 45 — 

NU WORK, NO PAY. FORAKER's MAXIM. 

Mr. Eggleston thus describes his interview with Judge Foraker 
as to his resignation : 

" No, Mr. Foruker, they [Democrats and Eepublicans of tho 
bar] say tliey will not permit you to resign ; that you must take 
a six month's vacation, and keep your seat. What do you think 
iV.iii :^. vest young man said? 'Why,' said he, 'Mr. Bggleston, it 
would look like stealing for me to take the salary and be absent 
from mv duty; and I can n()t do it.' " 

From many letters upon Judge Foraker's resignation we select 
but a few to furnish uppreciatory extracts. 

From Judge Harmon : 

". . . Sorrow was the first, feeliuir; and it still fills my mind. . . lean 
only say, God oo with yon wlierever yon no. and compensate me bv manv 
years of friendship for the few years of official compiinionship I am to lose. 
. . . In tlie three years we have spent touetlier liere I have come to love 
you as a brother. 1 loiiij siiuje passetl the point of mere respect and admi- 
ration. I consider you as one of those 'iriends a man rarely makes when he 
has reached our aire — a friend who not only fills the romantic ideaof vouth, 
but meets the requirements of mature jud>:ment. . . I am sad and loueiy 
. . . Knowiui^ it can not remain a secret, I mentioned it to some friends 
of the bar. Tlie feeliuir is unanimous that the bjnch and bar sustain a 
jrreat loss in your leaving the bench. They talk of petitioning you to re- 
cousider, etc. . . Judge Hoadley and others have telegraped the gov- 
ernor ..." 

Prom Judge Worthington : 

"... I can not express my regret, and that of every member of the 
bar I have met and they have been many. If in one year of judicial serv- 
ice that opens betbre me I can gain the confidence and respect of the bar to 
one third of the extent that it has been given to you ... I shall feel 
highly gratified." 

Judge O'Connor, who expressed his regret at the resignation 
of Judge Foraker, and the cause of it, hoped that he would 

recall it, and take rest and travel ; that "the superior court is so 
advanced in work that absence would be without the slightest det- 
riment to the public, or if at a slight disadvantage, the public loss 
would be nothing compared with its loss" if the resignation is 
persisted in. The Judge said; 

"I know the feeling among the bar is una.iinions that tliere would be 
irreparable injury in losing you from tlie bencii : and they are also uiuini- 
inous in wishing you to take the necessary rest and vacation. Therefore I 
hope you will regard these earnest wishes of your friends, the bar, and 
the public and withdraw your resignation. Do not hesitate on account of 
any idea of false delicacy about receiving your salary while absent from the 
court house. The public, not only would not so regard it, but would look 
upon it as the only proper course to take The public could far better 



— 46 — 

afford to pay you many months salary than to lose your services, when you 
will, in all probability, be able to resume your dutie^, with all your ability, 
vigor, and usefulness, in the fall." 

Judge Force telegraphed Judge Foraker from Washington City: 
" I have telegraphed the governor not to accept your resignation. Judge 
Harmon and I will keep up your work." 

From an eminent lawyer of Cincinnati: 

"... Your leaving will be a great public loss. . , I would comfort 
you in this hour of need and of peace. 1 can only lead you to Him who 
has said, 'Come unto me and I shall give you rest.' " 

From another lawyer of Cincinnati : 

"... I always found you to be the same good-hearted friend, trying to 
help every one." 

The Gazette, (Cin.) April 12, 1882: "Judge Foraker has earned the ad- 
miration of the best practitoners at the bar by his promptness and ability." 

The Commercial anid, April 12th: "One of the ablest and most popular 
men on the State Bench. * ' His retirement is a public loss.' " 

The Enquirer, April 12th: "Able, fair, and universally respected. His 
loss will be deeply felt and deplored." 

Law Bulletin: "Industrious, pains-taking, conscientious, . . . working 
out with care and good discernment all the questions submitted to his 
judgment." 

Penny Post : " An able, conscientious, upright judge. 

Times-Star: " Very sincerely and generally regretted." 

Volksfreund: "Regretted by judges, lawyers, and the whole public. . ." 

foraker's briefs. 

Foraker's briefs as a lawyer are remarkable for seizing the sali- 
ent points and presenting his case with no superfluous verbiage. 
His decisions as a judge are eminently perspicuous, composed in 
pure English, conforming to the use which is natural and reputa- 
ble and present, and manifesting a remarkable disposition to state 
the whole case, using the methods of logic leading to the conclu- 
Bion. A learned jurist remarked that for a judge of his few years 
in life and at the bar, his decisions and their presentation are unex- 
celled, and are indeed models of their kind ; that he is " able to 
see the point in a case and to state the conclusions in a clear and 
concise manner. He is a sound, forcible reasoner, and has good 
judgment. He has never debased himself or degraded his friends 
in seeking oflSce." 

His charge to the jury in a case of popular interest has been 
quoted as a remarkable example of legal and evidential analysis. 
Its conclusion illustrates the character of the man, in whom the 
public is now much interested: 

" 1 need not say that you have nothing to do with consequences. 
I will not call your attention to the fact that you are not to con- 



— 47 — 

«ider the person of the plaintiff, nor of defendant. Courts and 
juries can accomplish the purposes of their creation by only con- 
scientiously doing their duty, without regard to parties or results." 
Tbus spoke the incorruptible judge, uninfluenced by wealth of 
the parties or by popular considerations. 

ALWAYS A REPUBLICAN. 

Foraker was a Eepublican youth and his first vote was cast for 
Republican candidates. 

Senator Sherman says Judge Foraker has carried the Kepublican 
banner in war and in peace, without halting by the wayside. 

Judge Foraker did not regard the Republican party as an asso- 
ciation to obtain the spoils of office, but as born of the conscienco 
of the people ; its motive, justice; its purpose, to restore the gov- 
ernment to it original lines, moving forward with the boldness of 
earnest conviction, denouncing slavery as an outrage and a crime, 
assailing the doctrine that capital should own labor, seeing in the 
constitution abundant power to repress slavery, promote educa- 
tion, foster industry, encourage internal improvement, establish 
free homesteads and promote free discussion. He did not regard 
the victorj' of 1860 as a transfer of power from the Democratic to 
the Republican party, but as the beginning of a new life, which 
conquered the great rebellion, raised an army, constructed a navy, 
maintained the public credit, destroyed slavery, and provided for 
development. He says our wonderful prosperity has not come by' 
chance, but is the effect of the political logic of the Republican 
party of 1860. 

NO SPOILS OP OFFICE. 

Judge Foraker could not consistently vote with the Democratic 
party, as he did not seek the spoils of office. He could not 
vote with the Democratic party, because of its views of the States 
and the Constitution ; because the Democratic party asserted state 
sovereignty at the command of the slave power; because the Dem- 
ocratic party brought on the war of secession; because the Demo- 
cratic party (though many individual Democrats were patriotic) 
opposed the subduing of the rebellion and enforcing the unity of 
the Republic ; and because Democratic organizations resisted the 
4 



— 48 — 

measures of the Government. He could not join the Democratic 
party because its last administration of affairs brought the govern- 
ment to the verge of bankruptcy, had defied the constitution in 
eleven states, and arrayed an army against the nation ; because 
the party had never apologized for its errors nor retracted its opin- 
ions ; because this party was the enemy of free elections and of a 
pure ballot, the enemy of American industry. He realized that 
the patriotic element of the Democratic party had largely come 
into the Eepublican party, and that the Democratic party had 
become an artifice for office — controlled and manipulated by 
office-hunters ; that the Democratic party had ceased to exist, in 
the sense of a body of citizens formed around a political question 
to effect a political object by united action to that political end, 
and that the last act of the party organized to uphold and enlarge 
the area of slavei-y, was to organize a rebellion of slave provinces 
in support of its political idea, and that the Democratic party was 
without reason of existence after the rebellion was crushed and 
now it exists by force of habit, inherited prejudice, or appetite for 
office. 

FREEDOM AND CIVIL RIGHTS. 

Supporting the war as a soldier, in times of peace he favored 
reconstruction measures to secure the fruits of victory and to es- 
tablish the freedom and civil rights of the late slaves. In 1874, 
Judge Foraker, at a Eepublican mass meeting at Cincinnati, on 
the civil rights question, said : 

" The object of this bill is to prevent masked marauders from burning 
negro school-houses, shooting negro school teachers, and keeping this in- 
nocent an'd inoffensive people in a state of terror, which retards their de- 
velopment and corrupts and demoralizes society and politics in a hundred 
ways. And it is right, and the Republican party is for it because it is right. 

" When in Columbus the other day, I stood in our capitol building and 
looked with admiring gaze upon that magnificent painting, which adorns 
its walls, of " Perry's Victory on the Lake." There, in the midst of the 
death-storm of that terrible conflict, as gallant looking as any one of 
the brave faces surrounding the Commodore, is a full-blooded representa- 
tive of the African race. And thus it has always been since our govern- 
ment was founded, on land and on sea, in adversity and prosperity, 
through peace and through war, this race has been ever pfesent with us, 
and never once has its faith faltered, its devotion lagged, or its courage 
failed. 



— 49 — 

"They have justly earned their citizenship, and they have earned it in 
such a way as that (or us not to protect them in it would be the basest in- 
gratitude and wrong — ingratitude and wrong for which the nation would 
deserve to sink to rise no more." 



JUDGE FORAKER's NOMINATION 

Judge Foraker's nomination for governor was spontaneous in 
southern Ohio, and soon became popular throughout the State as 
candidates were canvassed. It was not sought for by Foraker. 
No efforts were made to secure the nomination. No whiskey nor 
unworthy devices, and no money were employed to affect votes. 
No certificates was furnished that he "satisfied his appetite for 
spirituous liquors," and that he was " neither a temperance man 
nor a Sunday fanatic." 

When it came to the serious determination of the large and able 
convention gathered from all over the State, there was but one 
voice and but one unanimous acclamation for the farmer and soldier 
boy of Kocky Creek. 

NOBLE TESTIMONY. 

The following extracts from an interesting correspondence be- 
tween the colored people and Judge Foraker, shows the grateful 
regard of the former and the noble sentiments of the Judge, who 
places suffrage ujjon pure manhood, and who bears his testimony 
for the Christian religion and for a pure domestic life. 

The Judge regards the building up of families as the epitomized 
history of the American people for more than two hundred years 
— the central idea at Jamestown, at Plymouth Eock, at Charles- 
town, at Philadelphia, at Baltimore ; by the Puritans, by the Cav- 
aliers, by the Quakers, and by the Koman Catholics ; the family, 
the social, and the political unit of America. 

The colored people invited the Judge to a camp-meeting. They 
said, (June 19, 1883): 

" We are religious people of color, and are Methodists. We remember 
those who have labored for our cause in the political field and on the field 
of battle. Joshua Giddiiigs was not a Methodist, yet he was an Ohio cham- 
pion of our cause. Salmon P. Chase was an Episcopalian, yet he never 



— 50 — 

wavered in his devotion to the cause of our emancipation and elevation. 
We shall never fors^et the late Speaker of the House and our Republican 
Representatives, who carried on the memorable struggle for a fair count and 
a free ballot, and which seated our brethren, Smalls and Lynch. We are 
not ignorant as to your history and your early devotion on the battle field 
to the cause of our race. We have read your speeches and we trust you. 

We know your mother to be a plain, old-fashioned Methodist, and we be- 
lieve you to revere her religious principles. 

Now can you not come up and give us an address of advice and encour- 
agement? 



To this the Judge replied : 

Cincinnati, June 2?., 1883. 

Rev. and Dear Sirs:— Your kind letter of June 19, I find before me 
upon my return to the city. Make my apology to your associates for my 
seeming neglect. 

It is now BO very late in the week, and my previous engagements for this 
day and to-morrow are of sucli a character, that it is impossible for me 
to accept the invitation so kimily extended. Please return my thanks to 
your associates and the laity assembled, and express to tliem my apprecia- 
tion, not only of their courtesy, but, also, of the good work in which they 
are engaged. 

If our colored brethren will but continue in the future to cultivate relig- 
ion and molality as +liev have in their free past, the day is not far dis- 
tant when they will have conquered all prejudices that may have arisen, 
because of their being changed from serfs to citizens. 

Religion and well-ordered domestic life, are the foundation of good and 
stable government. Without them the blessings of liberty and prosperity 
may be lost to us in anarchy and despotism. 

The purity of the ballot box must be preserved. The franchise bestowed 
upon the men of your race because of tlieir manhood, and not because of 
their color, must be enjoyed by you without fear or menace all over our 
land. With sentiments of regard, I am 

Yours truly, J. B. Foraker. 

Robert Harlan wrote June 15, 1883: 

"I know of my own personal knowledge that he has always been an ear» 
nest friend and supporter of my race in its struggle for its rights. 

I remember well to have heard him make a speech to a mass meeting at 
Lower Market in this city, in 1874, when the civil rights bill was pending, 
in which he took a strong ground in favor of it, saying' it was right, and 
that the Republican party could not hesitate about making it a law." 

This is a portion of the speech of Judge Foraker alluded to by 

Mr. Harlan : 

CIVIL rights bill. 

Another question about which the Democratic soul is troubled, is the 
Civil Rights Bill. This is not to be wondered at, however, for the poor, 
innocent colored man has always been a "bugaboo" to the Democracy. 
They have always been the enemy to this unfortunate race, and I suppose 



— 51 — 

•we can always count upon their opposition in advance to any proposition 
looking to the improvement of their condition. 

The Civil Rights Bill does not confer upon the colored man a single legal 
right which he does not already posses?. 

For every colored man in this country has already the full legal right to 
sleep and eat in any hotel in the land, ride upon any common carriage, at- 
tend any public school, in short, d(» and enjoy any and all things that any 
other American citizen as such, can enjoy. Here in the North lie enjoya 
these rights. The Civil Rights Bill does not therefore affect us here. But 
throughout the south the colored man is still called a "niggah," and he is 
not only denied these rights, but he is unceremoniously and unhumanly 
murdered and outraged if he dares to insist upon them. 

The negroes have been made free and have been made citizens, and 
clothed with all the rights and powers that pertain to the American citi- 
zens. It is unnecessary to rehearse the process and causes whereby this re- 
sult has been reached. Sufficient it is to say that even the Democracy, ia 
order to secure any favor whatever before the people, iiave been compelled 
to recognize the propriety and justness of thi.-i action, so earnest are the 
people in their approbation of it. And even the Democracy have been 
compelled to pledge themselves to maintain this condition of things, and 
take no step backward. If it was right then, as the whole country says it 
was, to make a citizen out of a negro, it is not only right now, but the duty 
of the government to secure him in the enjoyment of all that the title car- 
ries with it. 



YouNa MEN'S Candidate. 



Judge Foraker, as the young men's candidate, is a bright exam- 
ple to young men of the fruits of an honest, industrious, studi- 
ous, temperate, patriotic, filial, and even religious life ; that there 
is something that gives success earlier than strong liquors, money, 
and demagogueism. Our first voters, our young men, will judge 
of Foraker by his life and his acts as they will judge of the party 
of which he is now the accepted leader in Ohio. Judge Foraker 
with his party fought for and maintained the integrity of the 
Union against secession and state-rights. He with the Republican 
party declared slavery a curse ; was with it lor the freedom of all 
men and in clothing more than four million slaves in the garb of 
liberty and the full rights of citizen manhood. He was on the 
battle-field, when the party now opposing him declared the war a 
failure and was demanding an ignoble j>eace. He fought against 



— 52 — 

tue party that would have purchased peace at any price, at the 
expense of justice and the freedom of the slaves. He represents a 
party that turned out the rascals twenty years ago — turned out 
those who stole the money in the treasury; the rascals who 
rifled fhe arsenals, and who attempted to annihilate the Union. 
He is to day opposed to turning in the rascals who have caused 
the distress of our war, taxation, and the life sorrow of our house- 
holds by the loss of father and brother and son. 

IS HE UNKNOWN? 

It will thus be seen that Judge Foraker is not an unknown man 
and is not without an enviable record; that he is known to the 
tjoldiers for his gallant bravery; that he is known as a lawyer at 
one of the strongest bars in the United States; that he is known 
as an able and careful jurist; that he is known to the colored peo- 
ple for his bold and strong advocacy of their rights; that he is 
known as the friend of the mechanic and of the laborer and of 
the farmer ; that he is known among the students and graduates of 
colleges; that he is known where sweet domestic life is valued; 
that he is known as a man of Christian integrity and of Christian 
principle; that he is known as the incorruptible politician, who 
seeks no office and wins no distinction by vile methods and the 
improper use of money; that he is known in his own county, in. 
the chief city of Ohio, throughout the state, and is becoming 
known all over this land, not as a rich man and not as a mere 
politician ; and that he is unknown as Lincoln was, as Grant was, 
as Haj's was, — and to be known as the next Governor of Ohio! 

A Georgia paper candidly admits that Judge Foraker "has proved 
that he has in him the stuff of which governors are made He is 
not afraid of the people. He appeals like a man to their reason 
and conscience, and discusses public aflPairs with the power of a 
master in reasoning and debate. 

Senator Sherman thus spoke : 

"Judge Foraker, the nominee of the Republican party, is a Republican 
soldier, who, as such, served his country when he was young. He has 
since been educated by his own efforts, and has attained an honorable 
distinction as a lawyer and a judge. His speeches are clear, bold, and 
manly, and express without evasion the principles of the Republican 
party — in favor of the protection of American labor, and in favor of the 



—53 — 

taxinor the traffic in liquor and beer. In his speeches there is nothing 
evasive or uncertain." 

Hon. Mr. Townsend, thus: 

" Foraker, by his clear, practical, plain, common sense reasoning, is taking 
wdiiderfui hold of the people. He is a fine stump-speaker. He never utter3 
Avhat can embarrass him or the cause of truth." 

Gen. Gibson, thus: 

''T reiiard him as one of the most successful campaiprn orators Ohio has 
■ever produced. He speaks with ease and irrace, his words are well chosen,* 
sincere and impressive, and have an effective influence upon his audience. I 
He comes before the public unpreceeded by a srreat reputation, and liia 
liearers are astonished that they never knew him before. His character is 
perfect, his record clear, and his ability large. He is the cleanest and best 
man for Governor the State has known for thirty years, and, possibly, ex- 
ceptiniT John Brousrh, the ablest stumper. I told Hoadly when he was at 
my house in Tiffin, a short time asro, that he would suffer defeat if he allowed 
himself to go before the people in a joint discussion with Foraker. 

Hon. General Noyes, late minister to France, said to the people 

of the Scioto Valley, in mass meeting assembled : 

"The Republican party on the other hand, proud of its past and confi- 
dent of its future, has consiscenlly placed in nomination a man who was 
born a Republican, and who has remained one all his life; a Union soldier 
who has fought for his country, with a gun to his shoulder and a knapsack 
on his back; one who did not seek the nomination for Governor, but whom 
ilie office sought; a brilliant lawyer, an able debater, an upright, patriotic 
gentleman. Having called him away from a successful practice of his pro- 
fessi(m, we propose to elect him. What the future have in store we can not 
tell, but we may be sure Judge Foraker will deserve whatever honor may be 
in reserve for him." 

THE PEOPLE IN EARNEST. 

As we go to press, these are specimen reports from the meetings 
Judge Foraker is addressing : 

Lancaster, O., Sept. 3. 

"Judiie Foraker addressed one of the finest and largest mass meetings 
here this afternoon that lias been held in this city for years. Everybody 
was surprised at tlie great crowd, which exceeded any meeting held during 
the last Presidential campaign. The City Hall was packed to its utmost 
capacity, hundreds being turned away for want of room. The Judge's 
speech was another of his masterly arraignments of the Democratic party, 
and lield the vast audience enrapt until its close. He explained at 
length and to their satisfaction on the wool issue, showing just what it was, 
and what tlie opposition were trying to make of it. He also showed by his 
matchless argument just liow impossible it was for Democratic success this 
fall, and liow the Republicans are steadily marching on to a grand victory. 

C)ne old Democrat who was an attentive listener to the Judge's address, 
said he did not wonder that Hoadly was sick; hia only surprise was that he 
jv'as alive at all. 



— 54 — 

He told what he had seen and heard among both Republicams and Dem- 
ocrats throughout the State, and gave the people a clear understanding of 
the true status of affairs. Foraker's facts and fijrures consummately upset 
the Democratic wool bugaboo, and clearly demonstrated what a ludicrous 
farce the whole thing is. It was a splendid speech, and has left a telling 
effect." 

From Zaneeville, Sept. 4 : 

"Judge Foraker addressed the greatest hall meeting ever held in this 
city. Never before in local annals have voters manifested so great a willing- 
ness to endure the discomforts of a crowd." 

We noMT supplement the foregoing by extracts ^rom addresses of 
Judge Foraker, further illustrating the man and his principles. 

The following was delivered at a Banquet at the Burnett House, 
given to the Loyal Legion of Philadelphia, Pa., February 3, 1883, 
in response to the toast : 

"OHIO." 

Mr. Commander and Fellow-Companions : 

No matter what the occasion may be, it is always a great pleasure to an 
Ohio man to talk about Ohio. Particularly is tliis true of what may be 
termed these war occasions, such as this to-night. For great as our state is 
considered to be in area, business, population, art, and education, in all that 
pertains to the civilization and improvement of mankind, slie is transcend- 
antly greater still in all that relates to the part taken by her in the great 
struggle. From the firing of the first gun on Fort Sumpter until the sur- 
render of Lee at Appomattox, she was continually at the very fore front, 
side by side with Pennsylvania, and the best and bravest of her sister states. 
Her sons displayed their valor, poured out their blood, and laid down their 
lives on every battle-field of the war. And I need not repeat in this pres- 
ence that she contributed to our cause in that contest vastly more than her 
two hundred regiments of gallant fighting men. There are some names 
that have become as familiar as household words, the world over, in which 
she claims an especial interest — names around which cluster all the daz- 
zling glories oftriumphant war, — names, also, at the mere mention of which 
is suggested all that is implied by the highest, purest, and most successful 
accomplishments of enlightened statesmanship. For while Pennsylvania 
was giving us Mead and Hancock and brave John Reynolds, Ohio was 
givingtothe country, and to the cau^e of humanity, rnt only Grant and 
Sheridan, Sherman and McPherson, but Chase and Wade and Stanton, 
also. And these illustrious names I have mentioned barely begin the 
long list of her scarcely less distinguished soldiers and statesmen who in 
that great trial won imperishable renown in field and cabinet. 

OHIO EVER DISTINGUISHED. 

As proof conclusive that our success then was based on merit, that the 
war was merely an exceptional opportunity, we have been no less dis- 
tinguished since. This is shown by smaller as well as by greater things. 

When a year or two ago the Messrs. Scribners undertook the issue of 
campaign histories of the war, to be written by different persons, in twelve 
volumes, and cast about to see who from the thirty-eight states of the 
Union should be selected as the most fit for the important work, the result 
was that four of the twelve volumes were allotted to Ohio. 

"Continually since the war, of our Supreme Court, the highest, judicial. 



— i)& — 

tribunal in the land, consisting of nine members, we liave had two of the 
number, and one of them the Cliief Justice. And during all this while we 
have had both the General and the Lieutenant-General of the Army; and 
during almost all this time we have held at least a fair share of the most 
important heads of departments, and of the most important posts of repre- 
sentation abroad. 

And, notwithstanding this every excess of favor, we have been twice 
called upon, without the place beinp: sought in either instance, to furnish a 
chief magistrate for the whole people; and twice we have responded, — with 
what eminent success you all do know. 

GARFIELD AND HAYES, 

"So long as the history of the American people shall be read and known 
among men, so long in the tenderest recesses of the heart will be held in 
grateful recollection and proud esteem the name of James A. Garfield. 

"It would not be in good taste to speak in the presence of our other ex- 
president tlie warm words of praise with which all would be pleased to 
hear ',.> lii« many virtues recounted. Suffice it to say, he regards it as one 
of the higliesc lionors of his distinguished life to be present with us to-night 
as simply companion Rutliert'ord B. Hayes. 

"I think I can truthfully say for Ohio that her past, at least, is secure ; 
and I know whereof I affirm when 1 say that we have confidence in the 
present, and iiope for the future. We may not be called upon to furnish 
any more presidents, generals, chief justices, secretaries, or foreigh minis- 
ters; but if so, that will be your fault and not ours. For I assure you we 
will not be discouraged thereby from keeping constantly on hand, and well 
advertised, an inexhaustible su[iply of the very best material. [Lausrhter.] 

" I sincerely hope that these remarks will not excite apprehension in the 
minds of any of our visiting companions; for I am sure this Ohio acquisi- 
tion has not as yet any designs upon the honors of this organization. On 
the contrary, I am quite positive that none of us expect offices right away. 
We expect to be required; and we shall be content with that — to patiently 
wait for all such nuitters until at least a reasonable probation shall liave 
expired. I warn you though that we are a progressive class. We claim tc 
be representative of our state; and being such, it is only fair to assume thai 
when the expiration of this probation shall have come we will desire to be 
useful. From ail I was able to learn from the sj^eech of General Owen o( 
the principles and purjjoses of this order, it is my judgment that it affords 
a first-class chance for the display of the talents of the average Ohio man. 
With its espousal of principles and its proclamation of purposes I know 
him to be entirely familiar. They have been his meat and drink all his 
life long. In fact, ever since good old Frances Dane wrote it down in his 
first organic law — the ordinance of 1787 — for the government of the terri- 
tory lying north-west of the river Ohio, that ' religion, morality, and knowl- 
edge were necessary to good government;' and that 'civil and religious 
liberty lay at the basis of all our constitutions and laws,' our Ohio man 
has had for his polar star what the charter of this order declares its princi- 

Eles to be. First, a firm belief and trust in Almighty God, under whose 
eneficence and guidance the triumphs of the war were achieved; and 
second, — and only second, — true allegiance to the United States of America, 
founded on fidelity and devotion to the constitution and laws of our gov 
ernment. [Loud applause and laughter.] 

"With such antecedents as I have referred to, such an education as I have 



— 56 — 

tlescribfnl, and such aspirations as all concede us, I confidently predict that 
tl»e liituie will afford tis a chance, both in this order and outside of it, com- 
mensurate wiih the glorious grandeur of the past; and that as the years go 
glidinii by, the name of Ohio, linked with and second only to that of Penn- 
sylvania, shall continue, like that of Ben Ad.hem, to lead all the rest." 
LProlonged applause.] 

THE BOYS IN BLUE. 

A prophet is sometimes honored in his own home. Judge For- 
aker was so by the " Boys in Blue," at the soldier's reunion and 
fourth of July celebration of this year (1883), within the borders 
of his native county. Old veterans and their wives, not away 
from their neighborhood since the war, went twenty miles to see 
this Highland private, this hero of Atlanta. 

How like a true man, wi'h domestic and popular sympathies, 
how like Lincoln breaking forth, " why should the spirit of mor- 
tals be proud," was Foraker in his speech of this day among the 
neighbors, the friends, the men once boys on Rocky Creek. He 
spoke without notes, from a full heart. He spoke as Lincoln, and 
Garfield spoke, men poor in this world's wealth, but rich in the 
treasures of a noble heart. He said : 

" Here I regard myself as in an especial sense in my own country; for 
here I am within the borders of Highland County, and when I come with- 
in the boundary lines of this county, I feel as though I had come within 
the walls of my own home, and on this account I can say, in response to 
the kind words of your chairman, that if there is any place on the face of 
the earth where I would rather enjoy the confidence and esteem of man- 
kind than another, it is here ; in this county where, as he has said, I was 
born and reared, and where for that reason I am better known than I can 
ever hope to become at any other place, and where I have friends that I 
know will always remain such without regard to any difference of opinion 
that may exist as to temporal concerns, and without regard to the varying 
fortunes and changes of life. For me to come into your midst is like glid- 
ing into a veritable haven of rest where all the frictions and bufifetting con- 
tentions of an anxious and busy life, are for the time being, shut out by a 
general amity of feeling, and by sentiments of a kind and mutual regard. 

" We are here to-day not only to celebrate the Fourth of July, but we 
have come here to perform this work in the name, in the honor, and under 
the direction of the Grand Army of the Republic. 

" We are here, therefore, not only to pay honor to the initial work of the 
founders of these institutions of government, in the enjoyment of which 
it is our happy privilege to live, but also to pay honor to the men by whose 
services and sacrifices, patriotism and valor, these institutions of govern- 
ment have been preserved to us from the threatened wreck and ruin of 
rebellion. But for the works of the fathers, there never would have been 



— o< — 

any occasion for the services of the sons, and but for the services of the 

sons, that which the fathers did would have been done in vain 

"One hundred years of successful experience under a republican form 
of government, has taught us not only to regard the ideas and truths and 
principles embodied in the Declaration of Independence, as fundamental 
proposition with respect to the character of government and the rights of 
man, but it has also brought us to the point where it is well nigh impossi- 
ble for us to realize that there ever was a time in the history of the world 
when they were not so regarded 

MAGNA CHARTA AND LUTHER. 

"And yet. notwithstanding our fathers were lacking in these respects, 
notwithstanding they were without precedent, and without anything in the 
way of experience to guide them, they were not without the essentials of 
success. On the contrary, they had that without which there could have 
been no success, but with which success was inevitable, for they had that 
which nerved the hearts of the old Lords and Barons when they wrestled 
Magna Charta from King John, at Runnymede ; they had that which filled 
the soul of brave old Luther, when he said : ' Yes sir, I will go into that 
city of Worms, though there be as many devils there as there are tiles on 
the roofs of the houses.' 

" They had just convictions of right, and they had the courage of their 
convictions, and that was the key to the whole situation. 

"For when men have a just and proper sense of duty, and then fear- 
lessly undertake its performance, Providence never fails to lead them 
safely through, whatever consequences may result." .... 

MEN MUST BE BIGHT. 

That which they accomplished makes the most striking and brilliant 
illustration that has ever been given of the truth to which I adverted a 
moment ago, that all political movements must succeed when they are 
based on just convictions of right, and are fearlessly and boldly espoused 
and upheld. Their works makes a fitting frontispiece for the grand career 
that this Nation has run. It was a work that never has and never will 
fail to impart inspiration and honesty of purpose to political organizations 
when called upon to grapple with those insiduous evils that aflect the 
morality of the people, and snap at the foundations of government. It was 
au example that exerted a most salutory influence on us wiiile we were 
passing through the great struggles with slavery. It is a good example to 
bear in mind in connection with tlie contests now going on in this country, 
and no matter what may be the growth and complications of the future, we 
can always turn to this beginning of the fathers, with pleasure, pride and 
profit. 

After describing the grandeur of our country, its present popu- 
lation, and its vast capabilities, the Judge continued : 

But I do not make these suggestions for the purpose of exciting vanity. 
On the contrary, I make them to bring about a properly serious apprecia- 
tion of the great trust that is confided in us — a trust that involves for all 
these millions of people and billions of property the preservation of our 
form of government, our constitution, our civil and religious liberty, our 
popular education, our equality before the law — a preservation, in short, 
of all that which makes us free, and makes us great, and makes us safe in 
the protection of our property and our lives. 



— 58 — 

In replying to the proposition that our institutions are not 
adapted to the conditions of the future, he said : 

And remeniberins:, as all must who passed through the trials of 1861-5, 
how this whole land was made to fairly blaze and burn by the unparalleled 
demonstrations of loyalty, patriotism and devotion to duty which we then 
witnessed, I can not doubt either the capacity or the determination of the 
people of this country to preserve its government and its institutions 

PRACTICAL PATRIOTISM. 

And yet, to do so, we must he for the future aa we have been in the past, 
true to ourselves. T believe in a practical patriotism. I believe in talcing 
care of America. To tiiis end we should discard sentimental theories and 
pursue an administrative policy that is based on sound common sense. 
We should make this country independent of every other to the fullest 
extent that our situation and advantages will admit. We must take care 
of our labor and laboring men, to the end that they may have a just re- 
ward and an even chance in the race of life for those better and higher 
things that come with education and culture. We must develop our re- 
sources, multiply our industries, and make aa much diversity of employ- 
ment as possible, thus creating a domestic commerce that will make all the 
different parts of our country virtually dependent on each other, and lead 
on to the construction of railroads and canals, and other facilities for traffic 
and travel, thus tying ourselves together with the bonds of trade and in- 
terest which are far stronger and more enduring than any that can be 
forged by constitutional provision or legistative enactments. 

WASHINGTON AND DANE. 

And not only that, but man can not live by bread alone. Our fathers 
recognized this fact when they framed our government. They, therefore, 
framed it so as to encourage not only the greatest material prosperity pos- 
sible, but also so as to encourage the highest intellectual and moral devel- 
opment of which mankind is capable. Washington reminds us of this in 
his farewell address, when he warns us to rememher that the people are the 
sovereign power — that all rightful authority must emanate from them, and 
that, consequently, if we would have a good government, we must have a 
good people, and that to that end we must ever labor to inculcate among 
the people a disposition for knowledge and morality. Another of the 
greatest men that this country ever produced was Francis Dune. He was 
the author of "the ordinance of 1788 for the government of the territory 
lying nothwest of the River Ohio." This was the first organic law that 
the people of Ohio ever had. In it is expressed the idea to which I refer 
in the declaration that knowledge and morality are essential to good gov- 
ernment. All the founders and all the great men of this government, from 
Washington to Garfield, have impressed upon us the same truth. 

And above all things let us remember to preserve and inviolate the dig- 
nity and majesty of law. As Wjishington said, we have no sovereignty in 
this country except only the people. Law is their expressed will, and the 
officers of the law are only their agents. Whosoever undertakes to strike 
down law in this country, either by open violence or by exciting distrust, 
is aiming a deadly blow at the very life of the Nation. 

GRAND ARMY — A FIRST BOOK. 

Thus spoke this soldier to his comrades of the Grand Army of 
Republic in his own native county, July 4, 1383: 



— 59 — 

" I remember that one of the first books my father ever gave me was a 
liistory of the Revolution, bound in which was a fac simile copy of the 
Declaration of Independence, including the signatures thereto of all the 
signers. I can never forget how, in my boyish ambition, I envied those 
men the honor of having signed that instrument. I have no doubt you 
had the same kind of experience. But you didn't know then of the com- 
pensation that was in Store for you. Your names can never be read on 
the Declaration of Independence, but they will be read so long as that 
declaration is remembered on the muster rolls of that grand army of a 
million men that sprang to the Nations rescue and stood like a wall of fire 
between the country and the country's danger. And to have your names 
written there is the highest honor that your country's service has permit- 
ted you to achieve in your day and generation. As I said a while ago, but 
for your services all that the fathers did would have been done in vain. 
The men who inaugurated the rebellion put themselves beyond the pain 
of reason at the outset. They wouldn't listen to argument. All the logic 
and all the eloquence of Webster, although absolutely unanssverable, were 
nevertheless unavailing. They wouldn't be convinced, and couldn't be 
•persuaded. They had made up their minds that if they couldn't rule 
this Union they would break it up and destroy it. They invented their 
•doctrine of State sovereignty for that purpose, and when, in their judg- 
ment, the time was ripe for it they invoked it, and involved this whole 
country in war to sustain it. But that which argument could not settle, 
shot and shell did. On three hundred bloody battle-fields, and in the 
blood of three hundred thousand of our slain fathers and brothers and 
sons it was written with the bayonet amid the storm-clouds of war that 
this is a Nation. Webster was vindicated and the Union was preserved. 
The character of our Constitution was taken out of all controvesy, and 
there was established for it, as one of its elementary features, that it was 
just what on its face it expressed itself to be, not a league between States, 
but the organic law a great people, and as to the rights and powers by it 
delegated supreme over States and people alike. There were many good 
results of that war, but this was the richest prize we brought out of all 
that bloody struggle. Let us hold on to it. Let us keep it to the fore- 
front. 

IVSS. 

Divide as we may about other matters, let us ever remember to stand 
shoulder to shoulder for this. When you hear a man talking about 
the reserved rights of the States and the resolutions of 1798, as we occa- 
sionally do, set him down as a man that no soldier can afford to listen to. 
So much we owe to the brave comrades we left behind when we marched 
home in victorious triumph. We owe so much to ourselves, and we es- 
pecially owe it to our country and our posterity. Not that we would keep 
alive any of the animosities or prejudices of the war, but simply that we 
would have no foolishness about the preservation of what we won. We 
were in serious earnest then. There has been too much blood shed to per- 
mit of our becoming otherwise now. 

No soldier wishes to keep alive any animosities or prejudices. On the 
contrary, it is our earnest hope that they may all perish with the hated 
doctrine of secession that originated them. We fought the South and 
compelled them to stay in the Union, not because we hated and despised 
them, but because they belonged to us, because they were part and parcel 
of us, because their country was our country, and their destiny was our 



— 60 — 

destiny. Wc compelled them to stay in the Union, not that we might live 
together in jarring discord, but that we might have a perpetual peace and 
a common prosperity. 

THE SECESSIONIST — THE REGICIDE. 

We can rejoice to-day in the fact that the chasms of the war are being 
rapidly bridged over. You couldn't to-day give slavery back to the South 
as a free and gracious gift. They appreciate as keenly as anybody else 
can that the abolition of it was a great blessing for them. Their country 
is now everywhere prospering as it never did before, and the day is not 
far distant when the secessionist of 1861 will be known in this country only 
as the regicide is known in England. We will have a Union in fact as 
well as in name, and every section will vie with every other in a common 
devotion to a common flag, by which we will all be led in a common pros- 
perity to a common destiny. 

THE GALLANT UNKNOWN. 

From the decoration-day address of 1869, at Hillsboro, which 
was delivered, says the Highland Neivs, "with deep and earnest 
feeling, with grace and dignity, impressing all with the great 
ability of the young orator : " 

" There are many graves in this land to-day, equally as deserving as the 
ones we have honored, about which no kind tribute-payers are gathered. 
Not all the bodies that fell by the ravages of our war sleep in our ceme- 
teries. 

"Far away in the woods, the thicket, the mountain^gaps; on the barren 
plain, the deserted field, in a hundred kinds of hidden, obscure, and unfre- 
quented places, wherever, on the hard-fought field, the deathful missil of 
the enemy reached and struck them down, lie and sleep another band — 
f/ic gallant unknown. _ ^ .. 

"God, in his infinite wisdom^and goodness,~as though jealously reserv- 
ing it unto himself, has thus deprived us of the pleasurable privilege of 
decorating their graves. But while he has done this, there is another 
pleasurable privilege and pleasurable duty, of which he has not deprived 
us, and that is of constantly remembering them, and praying him that he 
may annually stretch forth his hand and causing to descend "the earlier 
and the latter rains," make to grow thereon flowers even more luxuriant, 
more fragrant, and more enduring, than the ones which to-day have been 
scattered by the fair hands of these beautiful little girls upon the graves of 
our known ; scattering there, I shall add, only that they may fade and 
whither, and perish, and pass away, typifying, as it were, the untimely 
snapping, and perishing, and passing away o£_the lives^f.those^whom 
they are intended to honor." -^ *" ^ 

CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.^ 

From Judge Foraker's address at Cincinnati : 

Although the question of cheap transportation is. of vast importance, I 
can say but a word : 

The Constitution of the United States confers upon Congress the power 
to regulate commerce among the states. 2;^ No restrictions are placed upon 



— Gi- 
lts exercise. We contend that the provision was framed in the way, inten- 
tionally, that it might be broad enough to cover all times and circumstan- 
ces. And hence, notwithstanding the fact that railroads were not known 
when the Constitution was framed, yet, inasmuch as they have become a 
chief means of commerce among the states, they are within the purview 
of the provision, as well as rivers, lakes and harbors. 

Fortunately, before it ever entered into politics, this question was, quite 
a number of times, raised and passed upon by the courts, and in every 
such instance the provision was construeu as we contend it should be. So 
far then as the right to exercise the power is concerned, it is no longer an 
open question. The democracy, true to their natural instincts, have dog- 
gedly arrayed themselves on the wrong side, and are amusing themselves 
with their ancient political Shibboleth, "unconstitutional." 

The propriety of exercising this power is a question to be determined by 
the particular facts of a given case. 

But when the facts are that millions of bushels of grain are raised irv 
this country which never get to a market, and consequently never result in 
any profit to the producer, simply because the lines of railway passing 
through the different states lying between the markets and the points of 
production, charge unreasonably large freights, I think Congress should 
look after the matter and correct the evil, if there be any remedy, because 
so long as such a condition of things exists, agriculture is discouraged 
throughout vast territories of our country, and all kinds of improvement 
and progress are delayed and hindered. 

This is the position af the Republican party, and it is the right position, 
for it is upon the side of the correct construction and a proper enforce- 
ment of a good law, framed by the wise fathers who made our constitu- 
tion, to protect the people and aid the prosperity of the Government. 

The financial platform of the Republican party to-day, as in the past, is 
nothing more nor less than a pledge that we will continue in the future as 
we have done in the past to retrench and economize, and cut down the 
expenses of the Government to the lowest possible sum consistent with a; 
wise and intelligent policy. That we will lighten the burdens of taxation 
resting upon the people just as rapidly, and just as much as proper regard 
for the highest interests of all will allow. That we will continue to faith- 
fully and diligently collect the revenues, and honestly and promptly ap- 
ply them to the satisfaction and diminution of the public debt, until, in 
this honest, straight forward, practical, common-sense way we have, by 
easy and natural stages, and without shock, precipitation or derangement, 
led the country back, as we have been leading it, to the solid basis of spe- 
cie payments, and then on to an entire discharge of this enormous indebt- 
edness. 

We propose to pay the debt simply by paying it, and by paying it dollar 
for dollar until every obligation of the Government has been fuUy re- 
dressed, to the last farthing. 

To this end we propose neither expansion nor contraction, but the ap- 
plication of every surplus dollar we may be able to get into the treasury 
to the payment of interest bearing bonds held by private individuals in 
whose hands they are non-taxable, and yield no support whatever. 

NO PATIENCE WITH TREASON. 

At Spring Grove and Wesleyan cemeteries, Cincinnati, May 31, 
1879, Judge Foraker said : 



— 62 — 

" If any man think there is less patriotism in the country, less devotion 
to the Union, less love and affection for the old flag — 'let him look abroad 
over the land on this National Decoration Day and be undeceived. Let 
him witness the impressive spectacle of a whole people gathered in sor- 
row, but with the choicest flowers of spring time in their hands about the 
grave* of their dead soldiers. Let him listen to the patriotic hymns that 
will be sung, the fervid sentiments of patriotism that will be expressed, 
and from these things let him learn that the loyalty of this people is as un- 
questioned as ever. Yea, let him learn more than that ! Let him learn, 
especially if he be a Confederate Brigadier in Congress demanding that 
every vestige of war legislation be torn from the statute book, or a so-call- 
ed "silver tongued orator" from the Blue Grass regions talking about the 
rebel dead being martyrs to a holy cause that is to be revived and vindi- 
cated in the near future, let him I say, especially, if he be one of these 
classes, learn that by so much as we mourn these lives by so much is 
there less of patience for treason than ever before. 

« « * « « » » 

Abraham Lincoln was elected President of the United States. There 
was no pretense that any section of the country, or any individual even, 
would be interfered with in the enjoyment of any right or privilege guar- 
anteed under the Constitution and the laws of the land. But that did not 
matter ; the galling fact still remained that the control of the government 
had passed out of the hands of the South. The North had gained ascend- 
ancy in national affairs, and was likely to maintain it, and that was 
enough. The chivalric sons of the South wouldn't submit to any such 
outrage as that. The time against which the conspirators had plotted was 
come. A practical application of the doctrine they had taught was now in 
order. 

SHORT WORK WITH TRAITORS. 

And, consequently, in braggart speeches, for which the authors 
ought to have been then and there arrested and hanged by the neck until 
dead, we were told that the Union of the fathers was dissolved, that the Con- 
stitution was torn into shreds and tatters, that the South had seceded, and 
thafall they asked of us was that we would quietly remain at home and 
behave ourselves while they went their way in peace. Not until these ini- 
tial proceedings in the great drama of secession were actually transpiring, 
did our people awaken to anything like a proper appreciation of the infa- 
mous character of the doctrine that had been invoked. But then it was, 
as in bewildered amazement and astonishment they found themselves 
confronted with the necessity of a choice between the calamities of a civil 
war or a dissolution'of the Union, that the fires of patriotism began to 
burn in their bosoms — fires of patriotism that found fitting expression at 
the lips of that gallant old patriot when he commanded, " If any man at- 
tempt to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot." Fires of 
patriotism that were shortly to blaze into a flame that would astonish and 
excite the admiration of the whole world. For the same match that fired 
the first shot against old Fort Sumpter, and the stars and stripes waving 
over her, at the same time fired the patriotic hearts of the loyal millions 
of the North, and there followed the most magnificent demonstration of 
patriotism and devotion that the world ever witnessed. Business pursuits, 
private interests, family and social ties, the pleasures and comforts of 
home, attachments, endearments, affections — everything that stood in the 
way was instantly sacrificed by a million gallant heroes who sprang to the 
nation's rescue." 



— 63 — 

ONE COUNTRY — ONE FLAG. 

At the Camp Fire, October 5, 1880, of Geo. H. Thomas' Post 
No. 13, G. A. R, the subject of Judge Foraker's address was ''One 
Country and One Flag." After giving the history of the two civ- 
ilizations, that from Plymouth Eock and that from Jamestown, 
the Judge proceeds : 

BOYS IN BLUE. 

"Jealousy ripened into hostility and hostility brought blood. 'One 
country and one flag' would no longer answer. Slavery demanded two 
countries and two flags. They claimed it as a legal and constitutional 
rifht. Webster met their claim, annihilated their arguments, and showed 
co'iiclusively that they had no such right. ... He appealed to the 
recollections of the past, when Massachusetts and South Carolina stood 
shoulder to shoulder acknowledging Independence. But they steeled 
their hearts and the dash of arms came. When the boom from the guns at 
Fort Sumter rolled up over our land its reverberating echoes filling our val- 
leys and breaking against our mountain sides, it was as a long roll calling a 
nation to duty — ^^a long roll that was answered by a million men; a million 
men who were not educated and professional soldiers; a million men to 
whom war was no opportunity to workout individual ambitions and aspira- 
tions; but a million volunteers — citizen soldiers — a million men to whom 
war was only a horrible and bloody evil to be resorted to only for the accom- 
plishment of creat purpose, and then only when nothing else would answer; 
a million men who were working out their individual ambitions and aspira- 
tions in the peaceful pursuits of civil life; a million men who had homes 
and families, and professions and farms and workshops to leave behind ; 
men, therefore, who sacrificed all these things and stepped between their 
coun'trv and their country's danger with that solemn and determined re- 
solve tiiat only men can take who are actuated by a sense of responsible 
duty; a resolve that come what would— come separation from home, from 
wives', from children and loved ones; come exposures, come hardships, come 
.sickness, come battle, come death, come whatsoever God in his providence 
might tend there .should be in this country but one government and one 
flag, and that should be the government of the constitution and the flag 
that our fathers gave us. 

" These were the ' Boys in Blue,' and when the boys in blue thus took up 
the discussion it meant there was to come an end of it; that we were to 
have no more unavailing arguments; that if word's wouldn't convince shot 
and shell should ; and they did. 



* * * * 

ONE NATION. 



"If there be anything at all that soldiers cannot afford to listen to argu- 
ment about; about which they cannot afford to admit that there is room 
for argument; anything which they are under obligation to at all timea 
treat with impatient indignation, it is that damnable heresy that is eter- 
nally arraying the State against the Nation. r ^u » 

"if the war accomplished anything at all it was the overthrow ot tbat 
idea, and the establishment upon its ruins of that other idea that the Amer- 
ican people are an American Nation. A nation for Ohio or New York or 
5 



— 64 — 

Massachusetts, nor yet for South Carolina or Alabama or Georgia — not a 
nation for the States at all, but a nation for the pe»ple and the whole people 
of all the States of the whole Union. 

INFAMOUS IDEA. 

I hope the day is not far distant when it shall be established that the 
general froveriuiient may lawfnlly stretch forth its arm of protecting power 
to unprotected citizens at home as well as abroad. It is an infamous idea 
that the national trovernment can not go into any State of the Union and 
r compel any citizen to render its service against its enemies, and that when 
5 he shall have faithfnlly served it and been discharged, and shall have re- 
turned to his liome, his State lines are to rise up so tiiirh abont him that the 
government he lias protected at the peril of his life cannnot crossover 
them to his protection in the enjoyment of all tlie rights to which he is en- 
titled under a Republican form of government. 

" It is not enough so answer that it is the duty of the State to afford this 
protection. 

" It is not enough, because by unpunished barbarities, horrible enough 
to shock and disgrace savages, we have been afforded most abundant as well 
as most painful evidence that the State may not do its duty, f hope the 
bloody outrages of Hamburg. Ccnishatta, and the murder of the Chisholms 
will never airain be repeated to disgrace our land and civilization, but 
should the misfortune of their re-enactment be visited upon us, I earnestly 
trust there may be no counterpart to the great crime for which we, as 
citizens, must bear the responsibility, in a lack of power on the part of gov- 
ernment somewhere to visit speedy and fitting justice upon 'the perpetrators. 

"I want te see, therefore, not only one government and one flag for our 
whole country, but I want that government to be strong enough to go into 
every nook and corner of the whole land, not simply to collect its revenues, 
its taxes on whisky and tobacco, but what is infinitely more important and 
more to our credit, to protect the lives of its citizens and redress their 
wrongs and grievances. And I want the flag that is to stand for this gov- 
ernment to symbolize all this to every man who looks with allegiance upon 
its folds. With such a country and such a flag there is nothing of patriotic 
reverence and affection that they will not enjoy. With such a conntry and 
such a flag, there is nothing of strength that will not be added unto us as a 
Nation. With such a country and such flag we can press forward into the 
future with a confident assurance that there is a destiny for us commen- 
surate in grandeur and magnificence with the advantages we possess." 

Of Judge Foraker's Decoration day Address at Springfield, May 
30, 1881, the Springfield Republican said : 

" The mention of names of well-remembered commanders brought the 
applause of the audience every time; and frequently was this repeated at 
other periods of the grand efTort of twenty five minutes' duration. Atten- 
tion was really strained at times. At affecting passages, particularly the 
references to mothers and wives of our dead soldiers, many eyes filled 
involuntarily. The address was in full keeping with the spirit of the hour, 
unambiguous, often impassioned, and delivered with impressiveness which 
had a marked effect. Although a comparative stranger in Springfield, the 
gentleman will be remembered with affection and admiration by all that 
vast audience. He unmistakably created a very favorable impression 
among the most intelligent class of people. 



— 65 — 

The Judge said : 

" This imposing demonstration has a wide and an inspiring significance, 
It means more than that these men were brave. It means more than that 
they were our fathers and sons and husbands and brothers. It means 
more than that we loved them. It means more than that we owe them a 
debt we can never discharge for a nation preserved by the lives they sur- 
rendered. It means more than a tribute of honor and gratitude and affec- 
tion for the dead. Its chief lesson is for the living. 

soldier's sacrifices Not forgotten. 

" It means that the sacrifices of that time are not to be forgotten ; that 
they are to be kept in perpetual remembrance as the price paid for a nation 
purified and preserved ; kept in remembrance, however, not to keep alive 
any bitterness or hatred or prejudice that may have been engendered by 
that strife, but kept alive to cultivate and strengthen and cherish in our 
recollections that spirit of patriotism, loyalty, and devotion to duty that 
inspired our heroic dead. 

"It means that these men died for the cause of all mankind, and that 
their lives and sacrificial deaths are worthy to be held in perpetual remem- 
brance and continual honor as bright examples for the emulation of the 
living. It means that we do not propose to have to do that work over 
again. It means that here is the most sacred spot that can be found; here 
in the most solemn presence that can be invoked ; here on these graves, 
as upon the altars of our country, we come to pledge ourselves anew to 
the preservation of that nationality and those eternal principles of truth 
and justice for which these men were slain. Then, 

" ' Cover them over with beautiful flowers, 

Deck them with garlands, these brothers of oure, 
Lying so silent by nisht and by day. 
Sleeping the years of their manhood away ; 
Years they had marked for the joys of the brave. 
Years they must waste in the moldering grave. 
All the bright laurels they wasted to bloom, 
bell from their hopes when they fell to the tomb- 
Give them the meed they have won in the past; 
Give them the honors their futures forcast; 
Give them the chaplets they won in the strife; 
(Jive thein the laurels they won with their life. 
Cover them over— yes. cover them over- 
Parent husband, brother, and lover; 
Crown in your hearts these dead heroes of ours. 
And cover them over with beautiful flowers. 

It is a grand and inspiring work in which we are engaged. Let us be 
careful not to abuse its privileges or pervert its purposes. Let us not per- 
mit ourselves to be blinded or misled by that sickly and inconsistent spirit 
of sentimentality that has been here and there manifesting itself in a dis- 
position to blot out all distinctions by scattering flowers alike over the Blue 
and they Gray. 

no bitterness. 

"Toward the dead soldiers of the South no heart can hold any bitter- 
ness, but it does not follow that we should pay them honor. We know 
they were brave; we know they fought gallantly, and, for the sake of ar- 
gument, we can afford to admit that they believed they were right. But 
all that does not and can not change the everlasting fact that they were 
not right, but wrong, and criminally and treasonably wrong, too. All that 
does not change the fact that they made this land to run red with rivers of 
blood, and filled our homes with widows and orphans, and weeping and 
morning, in a causeless and wicked endeavor to tear down and destroy 



— 66 — 

the best government the wisdom of man ever devised, simply because its 
genius was Liberty, that they might establish for themselves, in its stead, 
another, based upon and inspired by human slavery. In their graves with 
them we can bury everything except, only, a vigilant watchfulness against 
a repetition of their treason ; but to decorate their graves, at the same 
time and in the same way we decorate the graves of our fallen Union 
soldiers, would be to do an act that would be worse than a crime against 
the dead, and to teach a lesson that would be worse than meaningless to 
the living. 

BOYS IN BLUE NOT TO BE DISHONORED. 

h "Whatever else we may do, may God save us from a criminal stupidity 
V that would dishonor the boy in blue, who fought for the Union and the 
Constitution, the equality of all men before the law, and all the other great 
and grand ideas that underlie and vitalize our institutions, by holding him 
up to posterity as on an equality with the men who fought to uphold trea- 
son, destroy our nationality, and make shipwreck of all the bright hopes 
of self-government. Let us not do ourselves the injustice nor posterity 
the injury of indicating by such an act that we no longer know any differ- 
ence between the men who saved us and the men who would have 
destroyed us. 

GLORIOUS OLD MOTHERS. 

On the contrary, when we are done decorating our Union dead, if we 
have any flowers to spare, instead of destroying all the good we have 
done by throwing them upon the Confederate dead, let us rather, in 
God's name, intensify the lesson we teach by lovingly scattering them 
over the glorious old mothers of the war; the glorious old mothers who 
followed us down into the smoke and fire of battle with fervent prayers 
to heaven for our preservation and for the success of our cause ; the glo- 
rious old mothers who, with heroic words of patriotism, steeled the hearts 
and nerved the arms of the gallant boys with whom they now are sleep- 
ing ; or over the tender and loving wives who, with hearts broken with 
grief, have prematurely followed down into the damp, cold, grave the 
husbands they kissed farewell forever amid war's wild alarms ; or let us 
weave them into bright chaplets with which to crown the children of our 
patriot dead — the children to whom the preservation of the nation meant 
orphanage and poverty and destitution ; or in some other way let us do 
something that will be patriotic — something we can respect ourselves for 
— somethmg that will redound to the honor of our dead, the credit of our- 
selves, and the good of our country. 

Until the time shall come when all talk about the right and truth and 
justice of the "lost cause" shall be hushed forever — until equal and exact 
justice is freely accorded to every American citizen in every state in the 
Union — until the exercise of all the rights, privileges, and franchises of 
citizenship is as free and untrammeled wherever the flag floats as our 
slain heroes intended it to be, let us have a jealous care as to what we do, 
even with our flowers. Not, as I have already said, because of any feel- 
ing toward the dead, but for the effect upon the living. We must never 
forget that our Government is a Government of the people. It will be 
whatever the people make it, and they will make it whatever they are 
themselves ; and what the people will be depends upon what they are 
taught. 

Because of the teachings of our fathers the war found us ready to meet 
it. We have made the country free ; we have made it a fundamental 
idea that the constitution is the organic law of the whole people ; that the 



General Government, as to the powers and functions delegated to it, is 
supreme from ocean to ocean, and that the American people are an Am'er- 
ican nation. These are grand results. They are worth all the blood and 
treasure they have cost. It was our highest duty to secure them then; it 
is our highest duty to preserve them now. 

A PATRIOTIC IRISHMAN. 

A patriotic Irishman, who had lost his mother while he was in 
the patriotic army, was so affected by the Springfield address in its 
allusion to decorating the graves of the mothers who had given 
their sons to the war, that he walked many miles to see and hear 
the man, at Leesburg, who had heart enough to make such a 
speech. He went away from the Leesburg address saying, ''■ That's 
the man for me, with a head level enough to command an army, 
and a heart big enough to capture the soldiers." 

THE UNITED STATES — OUR COUNTRY. 

Judge Foraker made an address January 13, 1881, before the 
society of Ex- Army and Navy officers, whose names are a syno- 
nym of valorous deeds ; the theme being " The United States 

our Country." The Judge adverted to our vast domain ; to our 
self-government; to our civil and religious liberty ; to our thrift, 
ingenuity, enterprise and industry ; to our illustrious past, the in- 
spiring present and the grand future, and to our grave and in- 
creasing responsibilities : He concludes: 

"Grave, therefore, as are the responsibilities that rest upon us, yet I con- 
Bdently predict that they will be fully and faithfully discharged, and that 
as the years go by we shall not only continue to increase in numbers and 
grow in wealth, but that we shall see all sectional prejudices and animosi- 
ties for<;otten and swallowed up in a generous rivalry and a common 
pride; that we shall continue to be one people, maintaining one govern- 
ment, supporting the same Constitution, and following a common flag to a 
common destiny, thus verifying the prophetic assertion of the lamented 
Lincoln when he said, at Gettysburg, in those beautiful, impreasive, and 
ever memorable words : " Government of the people, by the people and 
for the people, shall not perish from the earth." 

LAW AND ORDER. 

Judge Foraker presided Sunday night, 1882, at a meeting of 
citizens in the Methodist church. Walnut Hills, in the interest of 
law and order. In his address he said that the majesty and dig- 
nity of law must be preserved. * * He had an abiding faith in 
Providence and the common sense of the American people. * * 
Morality is the foundation of the Eepublic. and thus morality is 
dependent on religion. 

THE LAST DOLLAR TO BE PAID. 

Before the Lincoln Club of Cincinnati, June 23, 1883, the Jadge 
said : 

"You all remember how, under the name and banner of the Democratic 
party, especially here in Ohio, all the disloyalty, faithlessness and dema- 
t^ogy of this country seemed to clasp hands, and join iu a common effort to 



— 68 — 

besmirch and disgrace and dishonor that country and that government 
•which the enemies of the government on the field of battle had failed to 
overthrow and destroy. You all remember how it was through long years 
of earnest argument and effort that the country was finally led back and 
.placed on the firm rock of specie resumption, and the people were brought 
to a settled determination that all the obligations of the government should 
be faithfully paid to the last dollar. ■■•" * * * 

PROGRESS FOR THE RIGHT. 

But the mission of the Republican party is progress — and progress for the 
right; and where right and justice demand it, there is always a way to re- 
concile differences and conquer difficulties. We have never failed to find 
that way in the past; we shall never fail to find it now. Yea, we have al- 
ready found it, and, as in the past, the defeats we have sustained have but 
served to the point, and give effect to the victories that have followed in 
succeeding years, so, too, will it prove that the defeat of last year will but 
serve to give emphasis and lend brilliancy to the magnificent triumphs of 
this. [Long and enthusiastic applause.] * * * * 

GERMAN" REPUBLICANS. 

I say it is a slander upon the German Eepublicansof Ohio to say that they 
will withhold their support from the Republican party in this campaign. 
[Applause.] I think I know something of the German Republicans of 
Ohio. I went soldiering with some of them twenty years ago. [Tremend- 
ous applause.] With the old Ninth Ohio, made up of German Republicans 
living here in Cincinnati, I helped to curry our flag up the side of Mission 
Ridge. I was with them in such a way that I know what they endured of 
the privations and hardships of a soldier's life. I know how they bared 
their breasts to the storm of battle, and with what loyalty, devotion and 
patriotism they at all times stood by the flag, the country, and the cause of 
their adoption. [Ringing applause repeated several times.] Yes, I know, 
too, something about them since the war, and in time of peace. I know 
that the German Republicans of Ohio are an intelligent, fair-minded, 
liberal-minded, and honest-minded class of people, who have cast in their 
lot with us in good faith and for good purposes. I know that they believe 
in good government, in the protection of society, and in advancing the wel- 
fare and best interests of their commonwealth, as much as do any other 
class of people we have in the State of Ohio. [Great applause.] And 
being of tliat class of people, I say it is a slander, and a libel upon tliem, to 
say and print it of them, that they will withhold their support of the Re- 
publican i>arty simply because it has enacted legislation that is manifestly 
just. 

On August 2, 1883, before an audience of 2^000 people the Judge 
spoke at Corning, Perry Co., Ohio: * * ■■> ^ * 

perry's victory. : 

" There is something in the name of Perry County, for, when that name 
of Perry County is spoken it instinctively recalls one of the most illus- 
trious heroes that this country has ever produced. ["Good!"] And 
along with the recollection of the old hero comes back fresh to our minds 
one of the most brilliant achievements of which the naval history of this 
country gives us any account. 



— 69 — 

THE COLORED REPUBLICANS. 

And I want to say to these colored men whom I see so well represented 
here to-day that they do well to come up to this Convention along with 
the other Republicans of Perry County. | Applause.] Let me say to you, 
colored men that the next time you go up to the State House at Columbus 
— that place wher'e I e.\pect to hold for — for two years after the next elec- 
tion [laughter and applause] — you will be pleased if you will go into the 
rotunda and look at that magnificent oil painting which adorns its walls ; 
the title of it is "Perry's Victory on the Lakes." You will be pleased be- 
cause you will see there in the boat, along with the old Commodore, in the 
thickest of the hail and storm of battle, and as brave looking as any of 
them, a fit representative of the African race. And thus it has ever been 
from the very formation of our Government — in war and in peace, in 
prosperity and in adversity alike — the colored man has stood side by side 
with his white brother. He has been with us in war; he is with us in 
peace. He has been with us to share our adversities ; he has been with 
us to participate in the triumphs that we have been permitted to enjoy. 

LITTLE PHIL. 

Another reason why it is a pleasure for me to be present here to-day is 
in the fact that within the boundary lines of Perry County is to be found 
the birth-place of another illustrious American citizen — a man who was as 
great a Captain on the land as Perry was on the sea — a man whose name 
is a familiar "household word" the world over — a man whom fifty thous- 
and of us followed, with an admiration and confidence that no language 
can describe, as we carried that flag [pointing to the stars and stripes 
waving above him] up the rugged sides of Mission Ridge, sweeping Bragg 
and his regiments from otT its crest, capturing more than sixty pieces of ar- 
tillery and more than three thousand prisoners, and breaking forever th 
backbone of the rebellion. [Applause.] I need not say that I refer to 
gallant little Phil. Sheridan ! [Great applause. A voice : " Bully for the 
Irish !"] 

A county which so reminds us of two such men as these is a county to 
be congratulated. Pataiotism is safe here. * * * * 

THE TARIFF. 

" How are you to tell in this month of August, 1883, how much tariff 
this country will need in 1884? How are you to foresee the expenses of 
Government ? How are you to foresee a year ahead whether you will 
have an expensive Government or an inexpensive Government ? Whether 
you will be put to a great expense or a little expense in administering the 
affairs of this great Nation ? And if you can not foresee that, how can you 
tell how much duty to put on this, that or the other thing, to the end that 
you may raise just enough revenue to meet the wants of the Government 
economically administered ? And then another thing — are you to change 
this tariff every year? It costs some years more than it does others to ad- 
minister the affairs of Government. We have more pension bills to pay 
some years than others. We have more Indians to feed some years than 
others. We have more expenses of various kinds some years than others. 
If we are to regulate our tariff by the expenses necessary to be met, we 
must, necessarily, each year, vary the duties that are to be levied on our 
imports. And what kind of an effect will that have on the business of this 
country ? If a man must buy a product that is to be imported for him from 
-another country, to be used in his business in this country, how can he tell 



— 70 — 

what he is to pay for it when he does not know that the tariff may not be 
changed in the time intervening between his order and his receipt of his 
article ? Therefore, I say it does not affect the objection I make to the 
duplicity of this platform for Judge Hoadly to turn and ask me whether I 
want a tariff levied that will be more than enough to sustain the Govern- 
ment when it is economically administered. It only shows its weakness. 

Of his 'New Philadelphia speech, Aug. 5. 1883, the Journals said 
that "Although the Judge spoke in the open air, in the broiling 
hot sun, the audience of thousands remained attentive to the last 
word. The Judge never slacks speed or rises in the air, pays no 
attention to wayside ' funny business,' but makes straight for his 
goal." The Judge thus spoke : 

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT SUPREME. 

" What lawyers and the statesmen of the country could not settle satia- 
f;iciorily — the constitutional question as to the character of our government, 
the North contending that the Constitution was the organic law of the 
wliole land and people, and that our National Government was supreme 
overstates and people alike — that question "the boys in blue" settled in 
the storm of battle. They wrote a decision upon it; they wrote it with the 
bayonet; they wrote it with blood; they wrote it where it would do the 
most good — they put it into the Constitution of the United States, and they 
put it there to stay. [Enthusiastic applause.] 

And thus it was that the heresy of secession, the infamous product of the 
resolutions of 1798, and one of the most vicious of heritages to the people of 
this country, existing as a continual tlireat and menace to our institutions 
and pros2)erity — that idea of secession, I say, perished, and I trust passed 
away from American politics forever amid the burning glories of the tri- 
umphant victory at Appomattox. [Immense applause.] 

FOUR MILLIONS ENFRANCHISED. 

Well, as a consequence, in that great struggle which the Republican 
party came into existence for the purpose of carrying on, we had the 
shackles stricken off of four millions Of people, and as a result of the recon- 
struction measures that followed, four millions of people and their colored 
brethren everywhere throughout the United States were lifted up to the 
plane of citizenship. They were enfranchised. Thus, for the first time, 
we had in this country "personal liberty" for every man and equality of 
rights for every citizen ; so that every man who looked upon the folds of 
that flag (pointing to one floating before him from the staff in the public 
square) with the allegiance of citizenship, looked there knowing that it was 
symbolical of defense for him and of protection for all his rights. * * 

CONVICT LABOR. 

We don't believe in putting our laborers into unjust competition with 
foreign laborers, or into unjust competition with degraded home laborers; 
for we believe tiiat the honest laborer outside the penitentiary — who has 
never committed any crime, and who has to support himself and family — 
should not be brought on a level "as to his labor with men who have been 
confined in the penitentiary for the commission of oSenses. For that rea- 
son, while we say these men should be made to work, we also say thev 
should be made to work m such a way under the supervision of the State 
in S( niemanner to be devised, as to prevent their work being brought into 
competition in an unjust manner with the labor outside. 



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